Duterte missed ASEAN-UN Summit due to extended meetings: Palace

FILE: President Rodrigo Roa Duterte ACE MORANDANTE/PRESIDENTIAL PHOTO

MANILA — President Rodrigo Duterte was not able to attend the summit between the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and the United Nations (UN) on Monday due to a very busy schedule that went beyond the allotted time, Malacañang said Tuesday.

“We wish to inform that Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) Secretary Alan Peter Cayetano represented President Rodrigo Duterte during the ASEAN-UN Summit,” Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque said in a statement.

“The President’s meetings went beyond schedule and, to avoid further delay, it was decided that Secretary Cayetano would attend the ASEAN-UN Summit on behalf of PRRD while the Chief Executive was conducting meetings with other leaders,” Roque said.

Prior to the ASEAN-UN Summit, Duterte had a full schedule which included bilateral meetings with the leaders of Japan, South Korea, India, and Russia.

He also presided over the 31st ASEAN Summit plenary, the ASEAN Leaders’ Interface with ASEAN Business Advisory Council (ABAC), ASEAN-US Summit, ASEAN-China Summit, ASEAN-Republic of Korea Summit and the ASEAN-Japan Summit.

Tuesday would also be a very busy day for Duterte as the 31st ASEAN Summit and Related Summits come to a close.

This includes the ASEAN Plus Three Summit between the regional bloc and the East Asian nations of China, Japan and South Korea; ASEAN-Canada Summit; ASEAN-European Union Summit; the 12th East Asia Summit; and the ASEAN-India Summit.

The summit will close Tuesday evening with the Philippines handing over the ASEAN chairmanship to Singapore. (PNA)