NAKATAKDANG tumulak si Pangulong Duterte papuntang Thailand para dumalo sa 35th Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Summit na nakatakda mula Nobyembre 2 hanggang Nobyembre 4.
Sa isang briefing sa Malacanang, sinabi ni Chief Presidential Protocol and Presidential Assistant on Foreign Affairs Robert Borje na inaasahang dadalo si Duterte sa ASEAN matapos namang mapaaga ang uwi mula sa Japan dahil sa pananakit ng spinal column.
“As of this time, the information that we have and the guidance that we have is the President will be joining the meetings,” ayon pa kay Borje.
Tiniyak naman ni Borje na nakahanda na ang lahat sakaling hindi makadalo si Duterte sa ASEAN.
“As of this point, we are prepared for all of the meetings. And we are under the assumption — working under the assumption that the President will be attending. And if he’s going to miss any of the meetings, then appropriate guidance will be given to us and then a representative will be tasked. Normally, if the President is unable to attend a meeting, it’s the Secretary of Foreign Affairs who attends,” sabi pa ni Borje.
Idinagdag ni Borje na sasamahan si Duterte sa ASEAN ng kanyang longtime partner na si Cielito Avanceña.
“There will be a Spouses Program and she will be joining the Spouses Program,” sabi ni Borje.
Sinabi naman ni Assistant Secretaey for the Office of ASEAN Affairs Junever Mahilum-West na nakatakdang daluhan ang ASEAN Summit ng pinuno ng iba’t ibang bansa.
“The President will be leaving Manila for Bangkok on certain dates and I would defer to the Office of the President to disclose to you the dates,” sabi ni Mahilum-West.
Idinagdag ni Mahilum-West na inaasahan ang pakikipag-usap ni Duterte sa lider ng mga bansa kabilang na ang China, India, United Nations, United States at Japan.
“There are about 40 anticipated outcome documents at the end of the 35th ASEAN Summit and Related Summits which represent the culmination of the ASEAN Community’s work in pursuit of a more inclusive, equitable and sustainable ASEAN Community particularly given this year’s theme of Partnership for Sustainability,” dagdag ni Mahilum-West.
Itinakda rin ang seremonya kung saan ililipat ng Thailand ang chairmanship ng ASEAN sa Vietnam sa closing ceremony sa Nobyembre 12.