Davao International Airport, Davao City
October 16, 2016

President Rodrigo Roa Duterte discussed the agenda of his State Visit to Brunei Darussalam before departing the Davao International Airport in Davao City.

The President said he is looking forward to meeting Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah, the 29th and current Prime Minister of Brunei, to further enhance ties and reaffirm the enduring relation between the two countries and its people. In this regard, he plans to intensify trade and investment in both countries.

He looks forward to resolving and securing just and lasting peace in Mindanao, saying, “Brunei will continue to play an important role in our efforts to the peace negotiation in our country.”

He emphasized his firm stand on the war against drugs, stressing, “We will establish closer collaboration and mutual support in the campaign against illegal drugs, and its importance towards our common goal of attaining an ASEAN drug-free community.”

The President also laid down his plans in his upcoming visit to the People’s Republic of China right after Brunei Darussalam. “I will look forward to renewing the ties of friendship between China and the Philippines,” he added.

On the economic aspect, he plans to identify the emerging areas of partnership in trade and investments between the Philippines and China.

Regarding the maritime dispute, President Duterte said that he would be talking to the leaders of China and impart the message, “We will continue to insist that it is ours. “

“And I will be very careful not to bargain anything for after all I cannot give anything that is not mine in which I am not empowered to do by any stretch of imagination,” the President stated.

*  *  *