Duterte leaves for Thailand to attend 35th ASEAN Summit

President Rodrigo Duterte traveled to Thailand on Friday to attend the 35th Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Summit even as he kept an eye on developments in Mindanao that was hit by a series of earthquakes.

Duterte left Davao City at 6:14 p.m. and was expected to arrive in Bangkok late Friday night.

At the summit, Duterte and his regional counterparts would explore ways to further promote inclusive and sustainable development and address the challenges posed by climate change, marine pollution and other environmental issues, according to Malacañang.

The regional bloc would also discuss trade tensions, geopolitical shifts, developments in the South China Sea, terrorism, illicit drug trafficking and other transnational crimes during the November 2 to 4 summit.

A major economic item to be discussed during the summit is the sprawling China-backed trade pact, the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP).  If an agreement is reached, it would be the world's largest trade pact and would be a way for Beijing to cement trade ties in Asia as Washington retreats from the region.

Leaders are hoping for a breakthrough in RCEP talks after seven years of negotiations over the deal, which would comprise 30 percent of global commerce and half the world's population if signed.

Disputes over the flashpoint South China Sea would also dominate weekend talks as members attempt to inch ahead with a so-called "code of conduct" for the resource-rich waterway which Beijing claims most of.

China has long been accused of deploying warships, arming outposts and ramming fishing vessels -- stoking anger from other claimants.

The President would meanwhile participate in ASEAN’s meetings with the United Nations as well as with dialogue partners China, India, United States, South Korea and Japan.

“The Palace looks forward to the President's participation on the [summits] aimed to further enhance economic growth within a peaceful environment, and regional and global stability in the years to come,” presidential spokesperson Salvador Panelo said.

“The delegation meanwhile is excited to witness the President make our country and citizenry proud once again as he discusses his views and shares his insights on pressing matters that will be tackled in the summits.”

Duterte has designated Executive Secretary Salvador Medialdea as officer-in-charge of the national government during the Thailand trip, his fourth since taking office in 2016.

However, Panelo assured the public that Duterte remained on top of the situation monitoring the developments in the Philippines, especially the earthquake-hit areas of Mindanao. —with a report from Agence France-Presse/LDF, GMA News