Japan PM Abe may visit Duterte's house in Davao City –Palace

Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe has expressed intention to visit President Rodrigo Duterte at his residence in Davao City during his two-day visit in the Philippines later this week, Malacañang said Tuesday.

"He (Abe) will be here on Thursday and he will be in Davao on Friday," presidential spokesperson Ernesto Abella said in a news briefing in Malacañang.

Asked on Abe's purpose in going to Davao City, Abella replied, "Apparently, they have struck a certain resonant chord between the two of them. Apparently, Prime Minister Abe wants to visit the President's house. So, it's interesting."

He said Abe and Duterte are expected to discuss matters involving regional issues, business, and counter-terrorism.

Aside from a meeting with Duterte, Abe will also be meeting with business groups both in Manila and Davao City, Abella also said.

Duterte visited Japan on October 25 to 27, 2016 where he invited Japanese businessmen to invest more in the Philippines. During this visit, Abe was photographed doing Duterte's signature clenched fist gesture.

Duterte also admitted that his friend, Sammy Uy, who contributed to his campaigns for years, joined him during his bilateral meeting with Abe, saying that the businessman was already influential in Japan long before he was elected president in May 2016.

Duterte had served as Davao City mayor for many terms before he became president. —KBK, GMA News