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Malaysian Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad wanted to discuss with President Rodrigo Duterte the issue of insurgency in Mindanao and the threat of Islamic terrorists in the region, Malacañang said on Tuesday.
Duterte and Mahathir had a brief phone conversation on Monday afternoon ang agreed to meet in Malaysia on July 16.
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“The President said Mr. Mahathir wanted to discuss with him the issue of the insurgency in Mindanao as well as the issue of ISIS in the region,” Roque said in a press briefing in Indang, Cavite.
He said Duterte agreed to meet Mahathir in Malaysia after watching the fight of boxing champion and Senator Manny Pacquiao and Argentinian boxer Lucas Matthysse in Kuala Lumpur on July 15.
“The plan of the President is really to have a private trip to watch Manny Pacquiao’s fight but after he had talked to Prime Mimister Mahathir, they agreed to meet on the 16th since the fight will be on the 15th,” he said.
The Philippines and Malaysia, including Indonesia have earlier agreed to strengthen cooperation against extremism and prevent terrorists from establishing operational hubs in the region. /muf
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