Duterte to fly to Singapore for Asean summit

MANILA. President Rodrigo Duterte (AP file photo)
MANILA. President Rodrigo Duterte (AP file photo)

PRESIDENT Rodrigo Duterte will embark on a visit to Singapore for the 32nd Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean) Summit.

Foreign Affairs Assistant Secretary Helen dela Vega said the President will join other Southeast Asian leaders in the regional bloc's two major engagements that are scheduled on April 27 to 28.

"They (Asean leaders) will hold a working dinner on 27 April, and the Leaders' Retreat the following day on 28 April," Dela Vega told Palace reporters.

"The President will be joining other leaders of Asean member states in continuing the work of advancing community building and in living up to the shared commitment of maintaining and promoting the peace, security and stability of the region," she added.

Singapore has assumed the Asean's chairmanship this year, with a theme that focuses on the resilience of the Southeast Asian region and promoting innovation among the member states.

Dela Vega said the Asean leaders are expected to address transnational and trans-boundary issues like terrorism, violent extremism, trafficking in persons, illicit drugs, and disaster management.

They are also set to discuss regional and global issues "that impact on the peace and security of our region, as well as on the current developments that now pose a challenge to economic integration and the promotion of a free, fair and rules-based trading regime," she added.

Dela Vega said Duterte, last year's Asean chair, would also raise with his fellow Southeast Asian leaders several pressing issues, which include the continuing disputes in the resource-rich South China Sea.

"On the part of the Philippines, the President would address issues that are close to his heart, especially matters that affect the well-being of our peoples of our region," she said. "Definitely, the South China Sea is always a regular feature of our discussions."

The Foreign Affairs official said the President also sought to hold a bilateral meeting with Singapore Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong on the sidelines of the Asean summit.

She said talks are now underway for the possible meet between the two leaders.

"As a tradition, usually, also just like our experience last year, as chair, many of the counterparts from member states would like to call on the chair. So on this particular case, we also would also wish to meet with the Singapore Prime Minister," Dela Vega said.

"We would like to find out his thoughts and sentiments about the chairmanship so we can also help support Singapore," she added.

Dela Vega said two other Asean leaders have expressed intent to hold a dialogue with Duterte. She, however, refused to give additional details, as no final agreement was yet reached.

She said the President was also mulling to meet the Filipino community in Singapore. As of 2017, around 180,000 Filipinos are working and residing in Singapore. (SunStar Philippines)

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