Duterte welcomes Brunei’s Sultan Bolkiah in Malacañang

Pres. Duterte, Brunei Sultan were smiling as they left the Palace grounds for the expanded bilateral meeting pic.twitter.com/TnJ3zNeRTG

— Trisha Macas (@trishamacas) April 27, 2017

President Rodrigo Duterte on Thursday welcomed Brunei Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah in Malacañang for the latter's state visit ahead of the 30th Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Summit and Related Meetings.

Bolkiah arrived at the Malacañan Palace Grounds at around 2 p.m. for the official welcome ceremony after laying a wreath at the Rizal Monument in Luneta, Manila.

Joining Duterte in welcoming Bolkiah are Executive Secretary Salvador Medialdea, acting Foreign Affairs Secretary Enrique Manalo, Finance Secretary Carlos Dominguez, and Trade Secretary Ramon Lopez.

He will then sign the guest book at the President’s Hall in Malacañan Palace, which will then be followed by an expanded bilateral meeting at the Aguinaldo State Dining Room at 2:25 p.m.

Malacañang said that included among the agenda items during the meeting are intensifying political and security defense exchanges; enhancing collaboration in combatting terrorism, violent extremism and piracy at sea; and strengthening the campaign against the illegal drug trade.

Duterte is then expected to highlight Brunei's role in achieving just and lasting peace and development in Mindanao. The importance of increased two-way trade and investments, including in agriculture and halal industry development, are also set to be discussed.

Bolkiah and Duterte will then meet the press for the signing ceremony at the Reception Hall at 3:10 p.m. This will be immediately followed by a joint statement.

Acting Foreign Affairs spokesperson Robespierre Bolivar said the Philippines and Brunei are going to sign cooperative agreements to enhance the relationship of the two nations.

The first state visit that Duterte hosted will be concluded by a state banquet at the Rizal Hall at 7 p.m.

Bolkiah is the first leader to pay a state visit to the Philippines under the Duterte administration. But he is the second leader that Duterte hosted after Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, who stayed in Manila and Davao cities during his official visit in January.

Bolkiah arrived at the Villamor Air Base on Wednesday night aboard a Boeing 747. According to airport ground personnel, Bolkiah himself was the pilot of that flight.

Duterte’s first foreign trip was supposed to be in Brunei. However, this was pushed back because of a bombing incident in his hometown Davao City. The trip, which was Duterte’s first state visit, pushed through in October. —RSJ/KG, GMA News