MANILA – Wencelito Andanar, father of Presidential Communications Operations Office (PCOO) Secretary Martin Andanar, has been appointed as special envoy of President Rodrigo Duterte to Malaysia.
“Pursuant to the provisions of existing laws, you are hereby designated Special Envoy of the President to Malaysia for a term of six months,” stated on Andanar’s appointment released to the media on Monday.
The PCOO chief’s father served as undersecretary of the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) during the time of former president and now House Speaker Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo.
The older Andanar said he was humbled by the opportunity to serve Duterte.
“Hopefully, I can help forge stronger bonds between the Philippines and Malaysia as we endeavor to intensify bilateral cooperation to combat transnational crimes such as terrorism, piracy, and human trafficking,” the senior Andanar said in a statement.
“Insha Allah, this will promote lasting peace and development in Mindanao,” he added.
Duterte signed the appointment of Andanar on August 9, nearly a month after the President went on a two-day trip to Kuala Lumpur where the President met newly-elected Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad on July 16.
The President also watched the World Boxing Association (WBA) welterweight title fight between Filipino boxing superstar Manny Pacquiao and Lucas Matthysse of Argentina in Kuala Lumpur on July 15. (Jelly Musico/PNA)
