5 new envoys present credentials to Duterte via telecon

MANILA, Philippines — President Rodrigo Duterte on Friday affirmed five new ambassadors through teleconferencing, a “first time” in history in light of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Peter Francis Tavita Kell of New Zealand

Alireza Tootoonchian of Iran

Saleh Asad Saleh Fhied Mohammad of Palestine

James Peter MacArthur of Canada

Hoang Huy Chung of Vietnam

The President welcomed ambassadors Saleh Asad Saleh Fhied Mohammad of Palestine, Peter Francis Tavita Kell of New Zealand, James Peter MacArthur of Canada, Alireza Tootoonchian of Iran and Hoang Huy Chung of Vietnam.

Duterte affirmed the Philippines’ “friendly and cooperative” ties with the five countries, according to a Palace statement.

Saleh Mohammad is Palestine’s first ambassador after the re-establishment of its Embassy in Manila last year, a move the President thought as a “new chapter” in Philippines-Palestine relations.

As the President accepted Kell’s credentials, he expressed the country’s interest in pursuing cooperation with New Zealand’s “geothermal energy development as well as in deepening engagement in defense and security, especially in maritime security and combating terrorism and transnational crimes.”

Duterte, meanwhile, lauded Canada as “an old friend and important development partner” as he accepted the credentials of MacArthur.

The Canadian envoy, in return, congratulated the President for his “significant achievements” such as the establishment of Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao, Universal Healthcare Act, and the “Build, Build, Build” program.

As Duterte accepted Tootoonchian’s credentials, he also expressed hope for “stronger bilateral ties, particularly in science and technology and people-to-people exchanges” with Iran in the years ahead.

Tootoonchian then extended Iranian President Hassan Rouhani’s invitation for Duterte to visit Iran at the earliest opportunity.

Hailing Vietnam as an “important friend and neighbor,” Duterte noted the continuous cooperation of the two nations to promote peace and security in the region, especially in the maritime sphere, as he welcomed Hoang.

“We count on Vietnam’s continued support for our advocacy for the rule of law, peaceful resolution of disputes, and keeping the global commons – particularly in our region’s maritime space – free and open”, Duterte said, as quoted in the statement.