Duterte in Singapore for ASEAN meetings

President Rodrigo Duterte is back in Singapore for the biannual Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Summit and meetings with other Asia Pacific leaders.

Duterte, who flew from Davao City on a private jet, arrived in Singapore at 8:23 p.m. Monday, a day before the kick off of the three-day 33rd ASEAN meeting.

Also in attendance are ASEAN partners Australia, South Korea, Russia, Japan, India, China and the United States.

Among the issues to be tackled are greater economic integration, tensions in the South China Sea, challenges to rules-based multilateral trade system, developments in the Korean Peninsula, as well as transnational and transboundary issues such as terrorism, violent extremism, trafficking in persons, illicit drugs, climate change and disaster management.

Foreign Affairs Assistant Secretary Junever Mahilum-West said last week the President will participate in issues where the Philippines has interests such as infrastructure development due to the Build, Build, Build Program, micro, small and medium enterprises, economic integration, cooperation, community, and connectivity, and combating illegal drugs, violent extremism and terrorism.

Also of importance to the Philippines are the South China Sea dispute and the rights of migrant workers, according to Manila's envoy to Singapore Joseph del Mar Yap.

“We would expect an outcome document on the rights of migrant workers as well which has been shepherded by the Philippines since the beginning,” said Mahilum-West.

Discussions on the planned Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) have also been set.

Duterte may also have bilateral meetings with four or five world leaders but the details have yet to be disclosed by Malacañang or the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA).

The President was in Singapore in late April for the 32nd ASEAN Summit where he and fellow leaders of the 10-member bloc further reaffirmed the shared commitment to sustain the security in their maritime domains and enhance regional interconnectivity through technology and innovation.

Duterte's lean delegation for the 33rd ASEAN Summit and other meetings included Secretaries Teodoro Locsin Jr. (foreign affairs), Carlos Dominguez III (finance), Delfin Lorenzana (defense), Ramon Lopez (trade), Rolando Bautista (social welfare and development), Hermogenes Esperon Jr. (national security adviser), Salvador Panelo (presidential spokesperson) and Martin Andanar (communications).

Also on the delegation list provided by Malacañang were Philippine Permanent Representative to ASEAN Elizabeth Buensuceso and Yap. —NB, GMA News