Old friends Duterte, Abe bond during phone call

DAVAO CITY, Philippines — President Duterte was unusually early for his appointments and in a good mood yesterday as he eagerly took the first order of the day – a phone call from his friend, Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, who has announced his stepping down from office for health reasons.

Duterte arrived at the Malago Clubhouse in the Presidential Security Group (PSG) grounds at Malacañang at around 3:57 p.m. and went straight ahead to talk with Abe on the phone.

Abe, the longest-serving Japanese prime minister, reportedly explained to the President why he had to step down from office in their talk that lasted for 15 minutes.

Abe and Duterte developed a strong bond and mutual respect since the former Davao mayor became president of the country in 2016.

Abe even had breakfast at Duterte’s house when the Japanese official visited this city in January 2017.

According to Palace sources, the call between Duterte and Abe was mutually agreed by both parties yesterday afternoon.

Abe was quoted to have told Duterte about his failing health which affected his governance of Japan.

The two also talked about development projects and other Japanese assistance extended to the Philippines.

Through the years, Japan has been one of the biggest donors for the peace process and development of Mindanao through various projects.

The two leaders mentioned Japan’s donation of anti-flu drug Avigan to the Philippines in the continued fight against the COVID-19 pandemic.

Japan has supplied the Philippines with its anti-flu drug Avigan for use in the clinical trial of 100 coronavirus patients in the country.

Japan has also given the tablets to the Department of Health as part of its emergency grant aid to countries severely affected by the pandemic.

Avigan, developed by the Japanese conglomerate Fujifilm, has drawn interest from many countries for its potential to prevent replication of the virus, even if its effectiveness against the SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19, has not yet been established.

The President also proceeded to attend his various other engagements yesterday afternoon, including a number of private meetings and that with new Philippine National Police officials.