Duterte off to Myanmar, Thailand next week for last leg of ASEAN trips

President Rodrigo Duterte is set to travel to Myanmar and Thailand next week for the last leg of his regional visits, Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) spokesperson Charles Jose said on Thursday.

Jose, in a press briefing in Malacañang, said Duterte would make an official visit in Myanmar from March 19 to 20 and an official visit in Thailand from March 20 to 22.

Myanmar and Thailand are Duterte's last two introductory Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) visits as the Philippines hosts this year's regional summit. Duterte had already gone to Thailand in November 2016 but only to pay his respects to late King Bhumibol Adulyadej.

During the Myanmar trip, Duterte is expected to meet Nobel Peace Prize winner Aung San Suu Kyi, who is also state counsellor and foreign minister, as well as Commander-in-Chief of Defense Services Senior General Min Aung Hlaing.

His official visit to Myanmar is upon the invitation of the Myanmar President U Htin Kyaw, who assumed office also in 2016. The two leaders will hold bilateral talks with Htin Kyaw, who will also host a banquet in honor of Duterte.

They are not expected to sign any agreement during the Myanmar visit.

Meanwhile, Duterte will have a bilateral meeting with Prime Minister General Prayut Chan-o-cha in Thailand.

They are expected to discuss issues of mutual concern, including political, economic, agriculture, energy, education, and defense cooperation. A number of agreements is also expected to be signed during Duterte's visit.

Jose said that the South China Sea issue might be raised by the leaders during Duterte's visit.

"Leaders are free to raise any question that they would like to raise. Of course, we are not ruling in or ruling out discussion on the South China Sea. But if ever this will be discussed, I think it will be in the context of reaffirming our position, especially ASEAN’s position, on our desire, primarily for the full and effective implementation of the 2002 DOC [Declaration of Conduct] and for the early conclusion of the negotiations for the COC [Code of Conduct]," he said.

"And on the part of the Philippines, I think it will be a reiteration of our commitment to the peaceful resolution of disputes and for the... our adherence to the rule of law," he added.

The President is also scheduled to meet the members of the Filipino community in Myanmar and Thailand.

Malacañang earlier revealed that the government has so far spent P277 million on Duterte's foreign trips, which in turn had brought in US$5.85 billion in foreign investments and at least 350,000 job opportunities. — MDM, GMA News