The president skipped two of major meetings at ASEAN because he was reportedly not feeling well.
President Rodrigo Duterte skipped two of the major meetings at the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Summit in Laos on Thursday because he was not feeling well.
The Philippine President missed the ASEAN-India meeting with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the ASEAN-United States meeting with President Barack Obama.
Both meetings were scheduled at Thursday morning. Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) Sec. Perfecto Yasay Jr. represented President Duterte in both supposed engagements.
During the ASEAN-US Summit, President Obama brought up the Philippines’ legal victory against China over the West Philippine Sea (also South China Sea).
“With respect to maritime issues, we continue to work to ensure that disputes are resolves peacefully, including in the South China Sea. The landmark arbitration ruling in July, which is binding, helped to clarify maritime rights in the region”, the American president said.
Presidential Peace Adviser Secretary Jesus Dureza said on a text message sent to the members of the press that, “He was not feeling well in the morning so he missed the two sessions”.
But Dureza clarified that Duterte “was able to attend the EAST ASIA SUMMIT with 18 world leaders and the rest of the day’s remaining schedule until departure for Indonesia early evening today”.