Duterte accepts credentials of 5 new ambassadors

MANILA, Philippines — President Rodrigo Duterte has reaffirmed the Philippines friendly ties with Palestine, New Zealand, Canada, Iran and Vietnam during a “virtual” presentation of the envoys’ credentials on Friday. In a statement,

Malacañang said the presentation of credentials ceremony was held via teleconferencing “for the first time under the ‘new normal’” amid the new coronavirus pandemic.

Those who presented their credentials in the virtual ceremony were Palestine Ambassador Saleh Asa’ad Fhied Mohammad, New Zealand Ambassador Peter Francis Tavita Kell, Canada Ambassador James Peter MacArthur, Iran Ambassador Alireza Tootoonchian and Vietnam Ambassador Hoang Huy Chung.

—Julie M. Aurelio