Malacañan Palace
August 3, 2016

President Rodrigo Roa Duterte received the officials and some notable columnists of The Philippine Star, one of the country’s print and digital newspapers, during a courtesy call at Malacañan Palace.

One of the issues discussed in the meeting was the government’s fight against illegal drugs, wherein President Duterte mentioned that there are many public officials from the local government who are involved in illegal drug activities.

The President also tackled about the upcoming visit of former President Fidel V. Ramos to China, where he will hold informal talks with some private Chinese nationals before conducting a formal negotiation with the Chinese government on the disputed West Philippine Sea.

President Duterte said that he also tasked Rafael Alunan III, a former Cabinet official, to join President Ramos in China.

After the meeting, The Philippine Star President and CEO Miguel Belmonte gave President Duterte a collage of his photos taken during his first State of the Nation Address (SONA) published by the newspaper.

The Philippine Star is celebrating its 30th anniversary this year.

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