Reception Hall, Malacañan Palace
March 19, 2019

President Rodrigo Roa Duterte received the respective letters of credentials from the Resident Ambassadors of Lao People’s Democratic Republic, Turkey, Kingdom of the Netherlands, Papua New Guinea, and Singapore during the Presentation of Credentials at the Reception Hall in Malacañan Palace.

President Duterte warmly welcomed Laos Ambassador Songkane Luangmuninthone, who was first to submit his credentials.

“This would be a good opportunity for us to start fresh talks about the bilateral relations of my country, and of course the hosting of the Lao people for some Filipinos of your country,” the President said while also conveying his gratitude and reminding the Ambassador that the Philippines was there when the tragic ‘Laos dam collapse’ happened in 2018.

Second to submit her credentials was Ambassador Artemiz Sumer of Turkey, who praised the Philippines’ efforts in its inclusive peace process, namely the ratification of the Bangsamoro Organic Law (BOL).

The Philippines-Turkey bilateral relationship started 70 years ago when the Treaty of Friendship was signed on June 13, 1949. Turkey established its resident embassy in Manila in 1990.

The third to present her letter of credentials was Ambassador Saskia Elisabeth De Lang of the Kingdom of the Netherlands.

“We have a very strong relationship – both in trade and commerce and everything. And shared values. It would not be hard but easy for us to understand each other,” the President said, after offering his deepest condolences to the Ambassador relative to the recent Dutch shooting that claimed the lives of three (3) people.

Likewise, President Duterte warmly received Ambassador Betty Palaso of Papua New Guinea and Ambassador Gerard Ho Wei Hong, who was the last to submit the letter of credentials, respectively.

The President and the Resident Ambassadors, together with their respective delegations, had a closed-door tete-a-tete after the ceremony.

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