DAVAO CITY (October 11) –— Yesterday was a tiring day for the President Rodrigo Duterte. From Camp Siongco in Awang, Maguindanao he went straight to Bali Indonesia.
In the afternoon, Duterte visited the wake of the fallen agents of Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency at Camp Siongco, Awang Maguindanao, where he met the bereaved families and the officers of PDEA.
From there, Duterte left for Bali, Indonesia to attend the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Leaders’ Gathering.
Duterte is expected to meet with leaders of ASEAN member states and key multilateral and international organizations, an official statement from Malacañang said.
Indonesian President Joko Widodo invited Duterte to join the ASEAN Leaders.
During the meeting, Duterte will highlight the need to sustain inclusive and sustainable growth and development for all through stronger regional and global cooperation and greater security and stability.
Duterte will also meet with ASEAN leaders to discuss bilateral issues of among countries.
The Malacañang statement indicated, “The Philippines is committed to actively participate and support ASEAN and ASEAN-centered efforts in order to advance shared aspirations for greater peace, progress, and prosperity for the Southeast Asian region”.
Malacañang assured that Duterte will return to the Philippines immediately after the ASEAN Leaders’ gathering and “report to the nation results of his participation.”
Meanwhile, Philippine Ambassador to Indonesia Leehiong Tan Wee revealed that the Philippine government sent USD400,000 worth of assistance to earthquake and tsunami victims in Indonesia.
Of the amount, USD300,000 will come from the Philippine government while USD100,000 will be given by the ASEAN Business Advisory Council (BAC) – Philippines.
On Sept. 28, a 7.5 magnitude earthquake hit Indonesia’s Sulawesi Island, triggering a tsunami that left more than 1,500 people dead and massive destruction. -NewsLine with report from PNA
