Duterte to visit Myanmar, Thailand next week

MANILA, Philippines -  President Duterte will leave for a four-day official visit to Myanmar and Thailand – the only countries in the Southeast Asian region that he has not visited yet – on Monday.

Duterte will be in Myanmar from March 19 to 20 before visiting Thailand from March 20 to 22.

The trips are part of Duterte’s introductory visits to countries in Southeast Asia, foreign affairs spokesman Charles Jose said yesterday.

Before his state visit to Malaysia last November, Duterte had a stopover in Bangkok to pay his respects to the late Thai king Bhumibol Adulyadej.

“The visits to Myanmar and Thailand demonstrate our leaders’ resolve to forge stronger relations with our neighbors and cooperate closely with them in various areas of endeavor,” Jose said in a press briefing in Malacañang.

The foreign affairs department is not discounting the possibility that the West Philippine Sea (South China Sea) dispute will be discussed during the official visits.

“These will be leaders who will be talking and there are no set agenda items. Leaders are free to raise any question that they would like to raise. Of course, we are not ruling in or ruling out discussion on the South China Sea,” Jose said.

“But if ever this will be discussed, I think it will be in the context of reaffirming our position, especially ASEAN (Association of Southeast Asian Nations)’s position, on our desire, primarily for the full and effective implementation of the 2002 DOC (Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea) and for the early conclusion of the negotiations for the COC (code of conduct),” he added.

Jose said Duterte’s official visit to Myanmar was upon the invitation of Myanmar President U Htin Kyaw, who assumed office last year.

Duterte is expected to hold bilateral talks with Htin Kyaw, who will also host a state banquet in honor of the Philippine president.

He will also meet other government officials of Myanmar including Commander-in-Chief of Defense Services Senior General Min Aung Hlaing and State Counselor and Foreign Minister Aung San Suu Kyi.

Jose said Duterte and Suu Kyi will discuss issues of mutual concern, political and economic cooperation and capacity building.

The President will also meet with members of the Filipino community in Nay Pyi Taw, the capital of Myanmar and in Thailand.

“During these occasions, the President makes it a point to apprise our countrymen about his administration’s priority programs and developments in the Philippines,” Jose said.

There are about 1,800 Filipinos in Myanmar, many of them working for foreign firms and international organizations.

There are more than 16,000 Filipinos living and working in Thailand.

The Philippines and Thailand are expected to sign bilateral agreements on agriculture, science and technology, energy and education during Duterte’s visit to Bangkok.

Duterte is set to meet with Thai Prime Minister General Prayut Chan-o-cha to discuss issues of mutual concern, including political, economic, agriculture, energy, education and defense cooperation.

 “President Duterte is expected to brief Thai officials on the priorities and programs of the Philippines for its ASEAN chairmanship this year,” Jose said.   – With Pia Lee-Brago