President Duterte receives Bahraini, Vietnamese officials in courtesy call

By ASA T. MADALE

March 7, 2019

President Rodrigo R. Duterte. (File photo)

ILIGAN CITY: President Rodrigo Roa Duterte on Wednesday received Bahraini and Vietnamese officials in a Palace courtesy call, Palace said.

In a news release, Malacanang said the President welcomed Kingdom of Bahrain’s First Deputy President of the Supreme Council for Youth Sports Shaikh Khalid bin Hamad Al Khalifa, who was accompanied by Rashid Abdullah Wahab Al Shaikh, Salim Mohamed Ayedh Al Otaibi, and Mohamed Mahdi Alsalem Alyami.

His Highness Shaikh Khalid bin Hamad Al Khalifa’s visit to the Philippines signifies improvement on the level of bilateral relations between the Philippines and Kingdom of Bahrain.

“If you remember, I said that we stand by you and we will be with you in case you need us. And again, let me reiterate our deep sense of camaraderie with our people. Also for the humane treatment given to our citizens. Thank you very much,” President Duterte told Khalid bin Hamad Al Khalifa

After meeting the high officials from the Kingdom of Bahrain, President Duterte in another courtesy call met with Vietnam’s Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Pham Binh Minh.

During their meeting, Deputy Prime Minister Minh thanked the President for extending him and his delegation a warm welcome.

He also conveyed the Vietnamese government’s invitation for President Duterte to visit Vietnam later this year or next year.

The Deputy Prime Minister also congratulated the President for the developments in the Philippines as well as the country’s pivotal role in the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN).

Accompanying Deputy Prime Minister Pham Binh Minh were Vietnam’s Ambassador to the Philippines Ly Quoc Tuan; Director General of the Department of Southeast Asia -South Asia-South Pacific, Ministry of Foreign Affairs Nguyen Tat Thanh; Director General of the Secretary to the Deputy Prime Minister, Ministry of Foreign Affairs Pham Quang Hieu; and Director General of the National Commission on Border Affairs, Maritime Affairs Department, Ministry of Foreign Affairs Nguyen Manh Dong.

The Filipino officials present were Foreign Affairs Secretary Teodoro Locsin Jr., Agriculture Secretary Emmanuel Piñol, Trade Secretary Ramon Lopez, National Security Adviser Hermogenes Esperon Jr., and Philippine Ambassador to Vietnam Noel Servigon. (PCOO/ATM/RSP)