No arrival honors for Duterte from APEC, ASEAN summits

DAVAO CITY, Philippines — There was no fanfare as President Duterte returned from Singapore and Papua New Guinea at 6:45 p.m. on Sunday night.

There were no ceremonies at the Davao International Airport here, as he was met by former special assistant to the president Christopher Go at the Philippine Air Force Tactical Operations Group XI portion of the airport.

Joining Go to meet Duterte was Col. Sharon Gernale, Philippine Air Force Wing Commander of the Tactical Operations Wing - Eastern Mindanao.

Duterte dispensed with the usual military foyer honors accorded to a head of state upon departure or arrival from foreign travels.

He also did not issue an arrival statement.

The President, it can be recalled, did not come up with a departure statement when he left for Singapore on Nov. 12 for the 33rd ASEAN Leaders Summit before proceeding to the 2018 APEC conference in Papua New Guinea. 

His departure and arrival were also off-limits to the media.

Duterte did away with the usual press conference upon his departure and arrival.

A helicopter brought him home.

Photos provided by his partner Cielito Avanceña showed Duterte in the dining room of their house.

Duterte was scheduled to fly to Manila on Monday night to prepare for the state visit of Chinese President Xi Jinping today.