Duterte back in PHL from 35th ASEAN Summit

President Rodrigo Duterte returned to the country Monday night after attending the 35th ASEAN Summit in Thailand, according to a report by Ralph Obina for Super radyo dzBB.

The November 2 - 4 summit gathered leaders of the regional bloc and discussed key issues focused on further promoting inclusive and sustainable development and address the challenges posed by climate change, marine pollution and other environmental issues.

The leaders also discussed economic items, including the sprawling China-backed trade pact, the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP).

On Monday, Duterte and some of his regional counterparts skipped the meeting of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) with the United States.

Only Thailand Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha, chair of the 35th ASEAN Summit, Laos Prime Minister Thongloun Sisoulith and Vietnam Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc took part in the meeting with Robert O’Brien, US President Donald Trump’s national security adviser.

Duterte was represented by Foreign Affairs Secretary Teodoro Locsin Jr. Six ASEAN member states also sent their foreign ministers instead. —LDF, GMA News