Duterte arrives in Bahrain

FILE – President Rodrigo Roa Duterte. KING RODRIGUEZ/Presidential Photo

MANAMA – President Duterte arrived here late Wednesday (dawn time in Manila) for a two day state visit in the kingdom of Bahrain that has now become home to 60,000 Filipinos.

Mr. Duterte’s plane landed at the Bahrain International Airport at 10:10 p.m. Wednesday (3:10 a.m. in Manila).

The President had just come from a visit to Saudi Arabia, which along Bahrain and later Qatar are Gulf States that he is visiting this Holy Week.

Upon his arrival, President Duterte was met and welcomed by Philippine Ambassador to Bahrain Alfonso Ver and embassy officials, as well  as Deputy Prime Minister Shaikh Ali Bin Khalifa Al Khalifa.

On Thursday, the Chief Executive will start officially his state visit with a private lunch hosted by His Royal Highness Shiekh Ali Bin Khalifa Al Khalifa, who is the deputy prime minister, at the Ritz Carlton Hotel.

The kingdom will hold an Official Welcome Ceremony for President Duterte at the Sakhir Palace in the evening.

This will be followed by a bilateral meeting where the Chief Executive is expected to witness the signing of five agreements that included a plantation expansion deal in Dacanay City.

An official dinner for President Duterte will ensue later also at the royal palace.

Mr. Duterte’s last day in Bahrain on Friday will start late afternoon with a meeting with HRH Prince Salman Bin Hamad Bin Isa Al Khalifa, the Deputy King, Crown Prince of Bahrain, at the Bahrain International Circuit.

Bahrain businessmen will have the chance next to meet with the President at the 51st Floor, Capital Club, Harbour Tower.

The President ends his state visit with a meeting with the Filipino community at the Khalifa Sports Complex where 4,000 Filipinos are expected to gather.

Mr. Duterte is expected to leave for Doha, Qatar after meeting with the Filipino community.