MANILA — President Rodrigo Duterte on Wednesday night left the country to attend the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Leaders’ Gathering in Bali, Indonesia on October 11.
Duterte is expected to meet with leaders of ASEAN member states and key multilateral and international organizations, an official statement from Malacañang said.
He is going to Bali at the invitation of Indonesian President Joko Widodo.
Duterte is expected to 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 mutual importance on the sidelines of the ASEAN Leaders’ gathering.
“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,” the statement read.
Malacañang assured that Duterte will return to the Philippines immediately after the ASEAN Leaders’ Gathering and “report to the nation results of his participation.”
The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) earlier said Duterte will have a chance to personally convey to Widodo the Philippines’ assistance to earthquake and tsunami victims during their meeting.
“This is a good chance for the President to personally, like you know, relay to President Jokowi Widodo our assistance,” DFA Assistant Secretary for the Association of Southeast Asian Nations Junever Mahilum-West said.
The Philippine government is providing USD400,000 worth of assistance to earthquake and tsunami victims in Indonesia, Philippine Ambassador to Indonesia Leehiong Tan Wee told reporters.
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. (Azer Parrocha/PNA)
