DFA's Manalo gets COVID-19, skips ASEAN foreign ministers' talk

Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) Secretary Enrique Manalo on Monday announced he skipped this year’s ASEAN Foreign Ministers' Meeting (AMM) after testing positive for COVID-19.

In a statement, Manalo said it is “unfortunate” that he missed his first ASEAN engagement since his designation as DFA chief but assured it did not affect the Philippines’ participation in the region-wide meeting slated in Phnom Penh, Cambodia from July 31 to August 6, 2022.

“The Philippines’ participation will not be affected, as it will be ably represented by DFA Undersecretary for Bilateral Relations and ASEAN Affairs, Hon. Ma. Theresa P. Lazaro, in the said meetings,” the top envoy said.

“I have also sent regrets to Cambodia’s Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister and this year’s AMM Chair, H.E. PRAK Sokhonn, he added.

Manalo said he would concentrate on his recovery in the meantime, adding he looks forward to the next opportunity to meet the country’s colleagues and dialogue partner in the ASEAN region.—LDF, GMA News