PRESIDENT Rodrigo Duterte said on Thursday that he would not appoint a Philippine Ambassador to the United States.

Duterte made the pronouncement at the 38th National Convention of the Philippine Association of Water Districts held in Davao City.

“Here in US, we don’t have ambassador who will go there. We don’t have ambassador to the United States,” the President said.

Duterte issued the statement even after saying he looks forward to having an “enhanced relations” with the US under the administration of American President Donald Trump.

Prior to Trump’s assumption of office, Duterte has repeatedly launched tirades against the US after its former President Barack Obama expressed concern over the rising death toll of drug personalities in the Philippines.

Despite his announcement that there would be no Philippine Ambassador to US, Duterte recalled that he had a phone conversation with Trump, whom he said had expressed support to the Philippine government. (SunStar Philippines)