Palace: Duterte advanced PHL national interests at ASEAN, APEC summits

Malacañang Palace on Sunday said President Rodrigo Duterte pushed for Philippine national interests at the ASEAN Summit and Related Events and the APEC Economic Leaders' Meeting.

"Throughout the ASEAN Summit and Related Summits and the APEC Economic Leaders’ Meeting, President Duterte continued to advance Philippine national interests and prioritized upholding and promoting the Philippines key positions," the statement read.

The Palace issued the statement after Duterte arrived in Davao City on Sunday after attending the APEC Economic Leaders' Meeting (AELM) in Papua New Guinea. Duterte went straight to his residence without the usual arrival speech.

In its account, the Palace recounted how Duterte delivered, not only the National Statement on the South China Sea dispute, but also the ASEAN-China Common Statement as part of the Philippines' role as Country Coordinator for ASEAN-China Dialogue Relations.

Also at the ASEAN Summit, the President met with l,Singapore Prime Minister Lee Hsien-Loong and Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe.

Duterte also had several pull-aside discussions with ASEAN Leaders and ASEAN Dialogue Partners.

At the AELM, Duterte had a discussion with the APEC Business Advisory Council and attended the Economic Leaders’ Meeting.

The President also met with the Filipino community in Port Moresby where the AELM was also held.

Duterte had been criticized for missing several meetings during the ASEAN Summit, including the ASEAN-Australia Informal Breakfast Summit and the gala dinner hosted for heads of government, in order to take power naps.

The President was also noticeably absent from a gala dinner at the APEC Summit, and was supposed to cut his trip short to fly back to the Philippines on Saturday.

However, Duterte was prevailed upon to complete the APEC Summit and flew home to Davao on Sunday evening. — KG, GMA News