Aquino back in PH from Malaysia visit

President Benigno Aquino III. AP

MANILA, Philippines – President Benigno Aquino III arrived in the Philippines early Saturday morning from his two-day state visit in Malaysia.

Aquino with his official delegation arrived in the Ninoy Aquino International Airport Terminal 2 at 2:47 a.m., Malacañang said in a statement.

Aquino visited Malaysia on February 27 on the invitation of His Majesty The Seri Paduka Baginda Yang Di-Pertuan Agong, the Head of State of Malaysia, and Malaysian Prime Minister Dato’ Sri Haji Mohammad Najib bin Tun Haji Abdul Razak.

In Malaysia, Aquino signed the Agreement on Cultural, Arts, and Heritage Cooperation and the Memorandum of Understanding on Cooperation in the Field of Education.

Meanwhile, Malaysia said it would help the Philippines in Islamic banking and finance, the statement read.

Aquino thanked Malaysia for its support as third party facilitator in the peace process with the Moro Islamic Liberation Front.

He also thanked Malaysia for its relief efforts for the victims of super typhoon “Yolanda,” which hit Central Philippines on November 2013.

Malacañang earlier said the country’s claim to Sabah, which compelled a small group of claimants to assert their stake through violent means, would not be discussed in the visit.

The government set aside P9 million for the visit covering the transportation, accommodation, food, equipment and other expenses of the President and his 57-member official delegation.

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