Duterte honors outgoing Japan envoy Haneda Koji

President Rodrigo Duterte on Tuesday met with Japan’s outgoing Ambassador to the Philippines Haneda Koji to thank the envoy for his contributions in strengthening the relations between the two countries.

In a statement, the Palace said Haneda paid a farewell call on Duterte in Malacañang where the ambassador was awarded the Order of Sikatuna with the rank of Datu (Grand Cross with Gold Distinction).

Duterte expressed his appreciation for Japan’s support in the Philippines’ fight against the COVID-19 pandemic, through aid in emergency response and economic recovery efforts, and the Philippines’ inclusion in the clinical trials of Avigan, a drug developed by a Japanese firm.

Japan is also a major partner of the administration’s Build, Build, Build program and a key supporter of the Mindanao peace process, ongoing transition to the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao, and the rehabilitation of war-torn Marawi City, the Palace said.

Haneda, meanwhile, highlighted the progress of the bilateral cooperation in infrastructure, maritime domain awareness, and countryside development as well as efforts to attain peace in Mindanao.

The ambassador also thanked the President for the policy guidance through the Cabinet secretaries.

“Ambassador Haneda recalled his many warm memories and the great strides achieved by the Philippines since he started his foreign service career which began with his first foreign posting in Manila and ended likewise in the Philippines,” the Palace said.

Haneda started his diplomatic career in the Philippines in the 1980s, according to the Japanese embassy. He then returned to the country in October 2017 for his three-year tenure as ambassador.—AOL, GMA News