Duterte arrives in Thailand for 35th Asean Summit

NONTHABURI, Thailand — President Rodrigo Duterte arrived here Friday night to attend the 35th Summit of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean).

Duterte arrived in Bangkok at 9:52 p.m. Philippine time.

The President’s delegation include Foreign Affairs Secretary Teodoro Locsin Jr., Finance Secretary Carlos Dominguez III, Trade and Industry Secretary Ramon Lopez, Social Welfare and Development Secretary Rolando Bautista, Energy Secretary Alfonso Cusi, Social Economic Planning Secretary Ernesto Pernia, Presidential Communications Operations Office Secretary Martin Andanar, Presidential Spokesperson Secretary Salvador Panelo, Philippine Permanent Representative to Asean Noel Servigon and Philippine Ambassador to Thailand Mary Jo Bernardo-Aragon.

Duterte pushed through with his trip to Thailand despite the series of earthquakes that jolted parts of Mindanao.

Malacañang, in a statement, assured the President is on top of the situation and has already ordered local government units (LGUs) to check buildings that might have been damaged by the temblors.

READ: Palace: Duterte on top of situation after Mindanao quakes, will attend ASEAN Summit

READ: Start now: Duterte orders LGUs to inspect buildings after strong quakes

In his three-day visit here, Duterte is expected to attend the Asean Plus Three Summit with Japan, China and Korea where the President and fellow Asean leaders will discuss with key strategic issues affecting the region’s security and growth prospects.

The President is also expected to attend Asean’s one-on-one summits with China, India, the United Nations (UN), the United States and Japan.

This marks Duterte’s fourth visit to Thailand after his visit in November 2016 to pay his respects to the late King Bhumibol Adulyadej in March 2017 for an official visit and June this year for the 34th Asean Summit.