Duterte cancels attendance at Nikkei conference in Japan

President Rodrigo Duterte has cancelled his attendance at a conference in Japan next week, the organizer has announced.

Japanese media corporation Nikkei, the host of the conference, confirmed the cancellation.

“We regret to announce that H.E. Mr. Rodrigo Duterte, President of Republic of the Philippines has canceled his appearance at this year's conference,” Nikkei posted on the website of the 23rd International Conference on the Future of Asia.

On April 18, Nikkei announced that Duterte Duterte would give a speech during the conference scheduled on June 5 and 6 in Tokyo.

It was supposed to be Duterte’s second trip in Japan, after his state visit in October.

Malacañang and the Department of Foreign Affairs have yet to confirm the cancellation.

Presidential spokesperson Ernesto Abella in a briefing earlier said that Duterte would rather not push through with the trip.

“As far as we know, he would rather stay here,” he said.

Duterte on May 23 cut his official visit to Russia short after declaring martial law in Mindanao as he felt that his presence was needed in the Philippines following Maute group’s attack of Marawi City on the same day. —NB, GMA News