Duterte welcomes Indonesia’s Widodo at Malacañang

Indonesia’s President Joko Widodo (L) talks with Philippines’ President Rodrigo Duterte after their bilateral meeting in Manila on April 28, 2017, ahead of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) summit. The Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) summit in Manila, where leaders will discuss territorial disputes, terrorism and economic integration, takes place in the Philippine capital on April 28-29. / AFP PHOTO / Ted ALJIBE

President Rodrigo Duterte on Friday welcomed Indonesian President Joko Widodo at Malacañang as the latter started his state visit in the Philippines.

Widodo was received with a red-carpet welcome from Duterte and Cabinet officials at the Kalayaan grounds at 3:50 p.m.

After the welcome ceremony, Duterte and Widodo will hold a restricted meeting and a bilateral meeting at the Aguinaldo State Dining Room.

During the bilateral meeting, the two leaders may discuss the case of convicted Filipino drug trafficker Mary Jane Veloso.

Duterte on Thursday said it would be an “opportune time” to discuss Veloso’s case.

READ: Widodo visit ‘opportune time’ to discuss Veloso case – Duterte

“It will be an opportune time to discuss it during the restricted meeting,” he told reporters in an ambush interview in Malacañang.

Aside from the conditions of overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) in Indonesia, the two leaders will discuss issues of common concern, such as security of sea lanes, cross-border traffic and patrol, and economic cooperation.

President Rodrigo Duterte gives Indonesian President Joko Widodo a red carpet welcome at the Malacañang. NESTOR CORRALES/INQUIRER.net

BACKSTORY: Indonesia’s Widodo says dealing with hostage issue difficult

After their bilateral meeting, Duterte and Widodo will witness the signing of agreements on agricultural cooperation and the Establishment of Sea Connectivity between Davao and General Santos and Bitung in Indonesia.

The President will host a state dinner for Widodo and his wife madam Iriana Widodo in Malacañang’s Rizal Hall at 7 p.m.

On Sunday, Duterte and President Widodo will grace the formal launch of the Davao-General Santos-Bitung roll-on/roll-off (RORO) sea linkage route.

Widodo arrived in the country on Friday afternoon for a state visit and for the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean) Summit on Saturday.

Duterte in September 2016 visited Indonesia and discussed bilateral issues including security concerns in the Sulu-Sulawesi seas, the war on illicit drugs, maritime cooperation, enhancement of economic ties, and the amplification of people-to-people exchanges with Widodo. IDL

.@inquirerdotnet @VPPilipinas @lenirobredo WATCH: #PresidentDuterte and President Widodo trooping the line. @inquirerdotnet pic.twitter.com/g4J1Ic7zz9

— Nestor Corrales (@NCorralesINQ) April 28, 2017