Chile president first to arrive for APEC

MANILA, Philippines – Chilean President Michelle Bachelet became the first head state to arrive in Manila to attend the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation(APEC) Leader’s Summit this week.

Bachelet, a former United Nations official and one of the two female leaders to attend the APEC, arrived at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport Terminal Terminal 2 on Sunday afternoon riding a Air Force Chile plane. Her arrival is initially scheduled on Sunday morning.

Reports said Bachelet is scheduled to conduct a state visit ahead of the leader’s meeting to be hosted by President Benigno Aquino III.

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On November 7, Deputy Presidential Spokesperson Abigail Valte said Bachelet and her Mexican counterpart, Enrique Peña Nieto, are “comfortable” with conducting their state visits in the country on the same trip as the APEC meeting.

Vice President Jejomar "Jojo" Binay welcomed Bachelet at the airport while other Cabinet members including Social Welfare Secretary Corazon "Dinky" Soliman was also part of the welcoming body.

Bachelet will be welcomed by Aquino at Malacañan on November 16.

Chile was the first South American nation to host the APEC Leader’s Meeting in 2004.