Duterte, Bolkiah meet, talk peace and trade

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Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah of Brunei Darussalam arrived on Thursday afternoon in Malacañang for a bilateral meeting with President Rodrigo Duterte.

Bolkiah disembarked from a black limousine to a red-carpet welcome from Duterte and Cabinet officials at the Kalayaan grounds at 2:13 p.m.

Bolkiah began his official activities with a wreath-laying at the Rizal monument in Manila at 1 p.m.

After the welcome ceremony, Duterte and Bolkiah will hold a bilateral meeting at the Aguinaldo State Dining Room at 2:25 p.m.

Presidential Spokesperson Ernie Abella said the state visit of Bolkiah and his attendance in the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean) Summit “are excellent opportunities for the Philippines to further strengthen bilateral relations with our Asean neighbors.”

Abella said Duterte was also expected to discuss the situation of overseas Filipino workers in Brunei.

He said Bolkiah’s state visit was “a much awaited visit of a very important partner and special friend of the Philippines.”

The Palace official said Duterte would also highlight Brunei’s crucial role in the pursuit of just and lasting peace and development in Mindanao as well as the importance of increased two-way trade and investments, including in agriculture and halal industry development.

The President will host a state dinner for Bolkiah and his delegation in Malacañang’s Rizal Hall at 7 p.m.

Bolkiah arrived in the country on Wednesday night on board a Boeing 747 and was given full military honors at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA).

Duterte visited Brunei in October 2016 as part of his introductory visit to Asean countries.

Bolkiah is also one of the world’s wealthiest with a net worth of $20 billion in 2011 in a country where standard of living is high, according to Forbes magazine which called him one of the world’s wealthiest royals.

Bolkiah last visited the country in April 2013. Bolkiah and then President Benigno Aquino III vowed closer cooperation to find a solution to the maritime and territorial dispute over the West Philippine Sea (South China Sea), in a bid to resolve the disputes through a code of conduct. Brunei also claims parts of the South China Sea. CBB/rga