Palace denies Duterte brought a 400-man delegation to Israel

Malacañang on Monday denied a report that President Rodrigo Duterte brought a big delegation with him for his historic visit to Israel.

Citing Israeli state broadcaster Kan, online news outfit Times of Israel reported on Sunday that Duterte has a 400-man delegation “including top army and police officials, some of whom are expected to visit Israeli army bases.”

Presidential spokesperson Harry Roque said there are only 46 members on the official delegation list excluding at least 150 businessmen “who are all travelling on their own accounts.”

“Not sure where the figure of 400 came from,” Roque said in a message to reporters.

Among those who accompanied the President to the trip were Executive Secretary Salvador Medialdea, Foreign Affairs Secretary Alan Peter Cayetano, Labor Secretary Silvestre Bello III, Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana, Trade and Industry Secretary Ramon Lopez, Environment Secretary Roy Cimatu, Transportation Secretary Arthur Tugade, Energy Secretary Alfonso Cusi, and National Security Adviser Hermogenes Esperon.

Also on the list are Special Assistant to the President Christopher "Bong" Go, Presidential Political Adviser Francis Tolentino, Senator Richard Gordon, Interior and Local Government officer-in-charge Eduardo Año, Philippine Coast Guard commandant Elson Hermogino and Roque.

Duterte’s daughter, Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte, and his grandson, Marko Digong, also joined the trip.

Designated officer-in-charge of the national government while Dutere is away is Justice Secretary Menardo Guevarra.

Duterte’s four-day visit to Israel — the first for a Philippine leader — will end on September 5 when he is set to fly to Jordan to meet with King Abdullah II.

The President will be in Jordan from September 5 to 8.

Duterte has vowed to seek assistance from Israel and Jordan in the country's efforts to strengthen the economy, intensify trade, and improve security, among others. —KBK, GMA News