INDONESIAN President Joko Widodo arrived Friday in Manila to hold a bilateral meeting with President Rodrigo Duterte at the Malacañang Palace.
The plane carrying Widodo and his wife, Iriana, landed at the Villamor Airbase in Pasay City around 2:00 p.m.
He is expected to go to the Palace at 3:30 p.m. for an official welcome ceremony led by Duterte.
Widodo and Duterte will then hold a bilateral meeting at the Malacañang's Aguinaldo State Dining Room.
On Thursday, Duterte said he and Widodo will have an "opportune time" to discuss the case of Filipino migrant worker Mary Jane Veloso, who is facing execution in Indonesia for illegal possession of drugs.
Duterte went to Indonesia in September last year upon Widodo's invitation but the two failed to come up with a resolution on Veloso's case.
Among the important topics the two leaders discussed during Duterte's state visit were issues including security concerns in the Sulu-Sulawesi seas, war on illegal drugs, maritime cooperation, enhancing economic ties, and intensifying people-to-people exchange.
After their bilateral meeting, the President will host a state dinner in honor of Widodo and his wife at the Palace's Rizal Hall.
The Philippines and Indonesia have had diplomatic relations since 1949. Indonesia has been considered as among the Philippines' closest partners. (SunStar Philippines)