PRESIDENT Rodrigo Duterte will skip the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean)- Australia Special Summit on March 17 to 18, Malacañang announced on Monday, March 5.
Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque Jr. said Duterte would send Foreign Affairs Secretary Alan Peter Cayetano as his "special" and "personal" representative to the summit, which aims to strengthen the Asean and Australia's joint contribution to regional security and prosperity.
Roque said Cayetano's attendance to the conference between Southeast Asian and Australian leaders proved the Philippines' resolve "to be engaged with Asean and Australia in advancing shared interest in the region and moving forward the common agenda for greater security, stability and inclusive and sustainable development in the region."
"The President regrets that he will be unable to attend the Asean-Australia summit this month. Developments at home continue to require the President's presence in the Philippines," he told Palace reporters.
"The President, however, considers the summit very important and has designated Secretary of Foreign Affairs, Alan Peter Cayetano, as his special, personal representative," Roque added.
Instead of attending the Asean-Australia special forum, Duterte would grace the Philippine Military Academy's (PMA) graduation rites that will be held in Baguio City on March 18.
He said the President deemed it important to meet the graduating PMA cadets, especially now that the troops are fighting terrorism in the southern part of the country.
"(Duterte) will be attending the graduation of the Philippine MIlitary Academy [Class 2018] since he considers this graduation as an opportunity to dialogue with the younger military officers, particularly on the manner by which the Philippine government and the military or will deal with the problem of modern-day terrorism," he said. (Ruth Abbey Gita/SunStar Philippines)