Duterte Leaves for ‘Landmark’ Trip to Israel, Jordan

President Rodrigo Duterte on Sunday left for a “landmark” eight-day official trip to Israel and Jordan.

“I leave today for landmark visits that underscore our vision for our country — a responsible member of the world community – a Philippines that is a friend to all and an enemy to no one,” Duterte said in his departure speech at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) Terminal 2.

Duterte will have his official visit first to Israel from Sept. 2 to 5, making him the first Filipino leader to travel to Israel since the two countries established ties in 1957, upon invitation of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

“My schedule will be full. I shall seek to reaffirm the ties between our peoples made more significant by a meaningful shared history,” Duterte said.

Duterte said he will also look forward to having a “robust relationship” that aims to broader cooperation on a broader range of mutually important areas such as defense and security, law enforcement, economic development, labor, trade and investments.

From Israel, Duterte will fly to Jordan to another official visit from Sept. 5 to 8 upon the invitation of His Majesty King Abdullah II.

Duterte will also become the first Philippine president to visit Jordan, having a promising agenda that seeks to renew relations “with a country and people which have the common aspirations”.

“Certainly, I look forward to discussing ways of advancing cooperation in the key areas of improving defense and security, sustaining growth, addressing transnational crime, intensifying trade and investments and enhancing labor cooperation,” Duterte said.

In his eight-day official travel, Duterte said he will also seek to fully maximize economic cooperation and realize trade potential with both Israel and Jordan.

He said a Philippine business delegation from different sectors of economy will also join him to explore the “diverse trade and investment opportunities that make Jordan and Israel more tempting to offer”.

“Of course, we will invite their business leaders to look at our own rich market potential,” Duterte said.

Duterte is scheduled to meet the Filipino communities both in Israel and Jordan, home to about 28,000 and 48,000 Filipinos, respectively.

“With more than 2 million Filipinos working in that region, I intend to emphasize the great importance that the Philippines attaches to maintaining peace and stability in the region,” Duterte said.

“In my meeting with the Filipino communities, I shall renew my pledge to do my utmost to bring the change we desire in our country, in ourselves as a people. I will ask them to continue to be our partners for growth, progress and change,” he added.

Like in the previous countries he visited, Duterte said he will continue to be guided by his mandate to uphold and protect the national interest of the Philippines.

“The Philippines shares with all countries the desire for a stable and secure world,” Duterte said. “In our efforts to strengthen the bonds of friendship and amity with our partners around the world, we shall be guided by our Constitution and laws as well as our international commitments in support of efforts and initiatives, including the two-state solution, towards the attainment of just and lasting peace.”

Duterte was accompanied by Executive Secretary Salvador Medialdea and Foreign Affairs Secretary Alan Peter Cayetano.

He will also be joined by his Cabinet secretaries including Labor Secretary Silvestre Bello III, Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana, Trade and Industry Secretary Ramon Lopez, Environment Secretary Roy Cimatu, Transportation Secretary Arthur Tugade, Energy Secretary Alfonso Cusi, and Interior and Local Government OIC Secretary Eduardo Año.

Also part of the delegation are National Security Adviser Hermogenes Esperon, Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque, Special Assistant to the President Christopher “Bong” Go, political adviser Francis Tolentino, Senator Richard Gordon and Philippine Coast Guard Commandant Elson Hermogino. (PNA)