Abe may join Duterte for breakfast in Davao home —Yasay

Visiting Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe might join President Rodriqo Duterte for breakfast at the Philippine leader’s home in Davao City in a gesture demonstrating the close bond and friendship between the two Asian nations, Foreign Affairs Secretary Perfecto Yasay said on Wednesday.

Abe, the highest-ranking foreign official to go to Davao, will arrive in Manila on Thursday for a two-day official visit aimed at bolstering his country's relationship with Manila.

After a bilateral meeting in Malacanang with Duterte in the afternoon, Abe will fly to Davao at 9 p.m. “to continue bilateral engagements” there, Yasay told a press conference.

The breakfast meeting is expected to take place on Friday.

“We are looking at the possibility that they may have breakfast at the President’s house in Davao just to dramatize to you how much we value this friendship with Japan.  And we will continue to nurture it and treasure it for our mutual benefit,” Yasay said.

Abe’s Philippine visit, Yasay said, is an offshoot of an invitation extended by Duterte when he went to Japan for a state visit last October.

“Japan is one of our strongest friend and ally and partner in this part of the world and we value this friendship,” Yasay said.

During his trip, Abe will be accompanied by his wife and a delegation of Japanese businessmen. He will witness the signing of several agreements with the Philippine government.

Among the accords that will be signed are on agriculture cooperation, financing of agriculture-related small and medium enterprises, and security and infrastructure cooperation.

After receiving two patrol vessels from Japan, Yasay said the Philippines is expected to receive more vessels from Tokyo to enable the Coast Guard to guard its Philippine waters.

Japan, he added, has also expressed its commitment help the Duterte administration’s fight against the illegal drugs menace by providing for the construction of rehabilitation centers in the country. —JST, GMA News