Duterte holds bilateral talks with Vietnam, Indonesian leaders

SINGAPORE – President Duterte held two separate bilateral talks with the leaders of Vietnam and Indonesia on the sidelines of the 32nd Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Summit here yesterday afternoon.

Duterte first had a bilateral meeting with Vietnamese Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc at the Ritz Carlton Hotel, where Duterte and the Philippine delegation were staying.

Duterte then proceeded to the Istana to attend the working dinner for ASEAN leaders hosted by Singaporean Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong.

Before the dinner, Duterte met with Indonesian President Joko Widodo at the Istana.

Details of the two bilateral talks were not available as of press time.

Duterte left for Singapore on Thursday to participate in this year’s ASEAN meet, where he is expected to push for the further implementation of agreements protecting migrant workers, greater peace, security and stability in the region.

Duterte to meet OFWs in Singapore

Duterte is also scheduled to meet OFWs in Singapore at the Big Box Mall Saturday night, but hundreds of them have been turned away as the venue cannot accommodate them all.

All the 6,000 slots were taken less than 24 hours after the Philippine embassy opened up the online registration for the President’s meeting with the Filipino community.

“And that’s considering that it’s for a Saturday where many of the OFWs may not be on leave but still, it took less than 24 hours to fill it up,” said Philippine Ambassador to Singapore Joseph del Mar Yap. –  With Alexis Romero