Duterte lands in Riyadh, kicks off 3-nation visit

President Rodrigo Duterte speaks to overseas Filipino workers (OFW) during the welcoming of repatriated OFWs from Saudi Arabia at the Manila International Airport in Manila on August 31, 2016. Duterte landed in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, Monday evening (early morning in Manila) on a three-nation visit in the Middle East. AFP

RIYADH, Saudi Arabia — Governor Prince Faisal Bin Bandar Al Saud and Saudi ministers welcomed President Rodrigo Duterte as he arrived here via Philippine Airlines Flight 001 on Monday evening.

The President’s plane touched down at the King Khalid International Airport here at 9:43 p.m. (2:43 a.m. Manila).

READ: Riyadh waiting for Duterte to arrive | Duterte starts Gulf tour

Duterte was also welcomed by Philippine officials led by Consul General Imelda Panolong, the Charge D’Affairs of the Philippine Embassy here and other consuls.

Duterte and his party, which included some Cabinet members and politicians, were then led to the King Saud Guest Palace after their arrival.

The President will spend two days here for meetings with Saudi and Philippine officials, and the Filipino community in the kingdom.

READ: Issue for Duterte to tackle: 10 Filipinos are on Saudi death row
Later in the day on Tuesday, Duterte will be meeting with Saudi Arabia’s King Salman Bin Abdulaziz Al Saud and high-ranking Saudi ministers at the monarch’s private residence here.

Philippine officials said Duterte might be discussing mutual cooperation on illegal drugs and terrorism, aside from foreign relations, labor and economic cooperation.

Duterte and his party will fly out of Riyadh for Manama, Bahrain on Wednesday. CBB