Thursday, April 13, 2017 12 THE PRESIDENTIAL VISIT THE PRESIDENTIAL VISIT 13 Thursday, April 13, 2017 Duterte eyes to warmer ties Hail Contributions resident Rodrigo Roa people-to-people ties that can His Majesty King Salman and Duterte is eager to strive for stronger partnership the courtesy call of Ministers work closer with the for progress,” Abella of the Cabinet, can discuss KingdomP of Saudi Arabia and said. the expansion of the different Bahrain to forge closer ties Abella further said that the areas of Philippine-Saudi towards a mutually beneficial Chief Executive’s delegation Arabia cooperation. relationship. will pitch the Philippines as Of particular interest Speaking to Filipino an investment destination in he said was the President’s newsmen at the Marriot meetings with Saudi business intent to “express appreciation Courtyard at the Diplomatic leaders. for assistance to Mindanao, Quarter in Riyadh, The Presidential specifically on the pursuit of Presidential Spokesman Spokesperson likewise just and lasting peace; explore said the visit explained that “the President new growth areas in two-way aims at addressing crucial can stress that the Philippines trade and investments; discuss President Duterte and King Salman reviewing the guard of honour issues between the two is one of the fastest-growing closer cooperation on security Meeting with OFWs willingness to bring back some asking for clemency at this The Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud receiving Philippines President Rodrigo Roa Duterte countries. economies in the world with issues that is terrorism and on top agenda Filipino workers who availed stage. So let us wait for the “This is the President’s growth anchored on strong violent extremism, trade Abella added that President of the Saudi government’s process regarding death row first state visit to Saudi macroeconomic fundamentals in illicit drugs and other Duterte was keen on meeting amnesty declared last March issues,” Abella added. Arabia and the first of a and a leadership resolved to transnational crimes, and the members of the Filipino 29 for foreign workers who Abella said closer It is the first time in eight years that a Filipino Philippine President in the bring genuine reform, combat to express appreciation for community in the Kingdom run afoul with immigration cooperation on security issues last eight years. The state corruption and address hosting in Saudi of Saudi Arabia. A resounding rules. especially terrorism and leader was received in a state visit to the visit is an opportunity for the criminality.” Arabia and to discuss labour 77 percent of votes cast by “He did make mention that violent extremism and trade Philippines to strengthen the He added that the issues confronting overseas Filipinos during the last he would like or that he is in illicit drugs will be dealt Kingdom of Saudi Arabia bilateral relations founded on President, in his meeting with Filipino workers.” elections was for the then planning to bring home some with during the visit. presidential candidate and of those who would like to Among the matters to be mayor of Rodrigo take advantage of the amnesty taken up are talks regarding Duterte. programme regarding political consultations between “The President will also violators of immigration the Ministry of Foreign Affairs meet the members of the rules,” Abella said. of the Kingdom of Saudi Filipino community to thank He, however, pointed out Arabia and the Department them for their support for it would be premature for of Foreign Affairs of the the Duterte administration’s the President to plead for the Republic of the Philippines, reform agenda,” the lives of Filipinos on death row agreement on cooperation on spokesman underscored, as he because these cases by and general workers, recruitment is “very appreciative of the large have not yet reached the and employment between support of the people.” level of the Saudi King. the Ministry of Labour and Duterte is known for being “When he was asked about Social Development of the close to the masses and he is the death row matter we need Kingdom of Saudi Arabia fully aware of their working to clarify that first, the process and the Department of condition. has not yet reached the level Labour of Employment Saudi Arabia’s King Salman and Philippines President Duterte during a meeting Abella revealed that the of the King. In which case, of the Republic of the President has expressed there is no place for us to be Philippines. he Custodian of the Secretary , Majesty. Two Holy Mosques Trade Secretary Ramon Lopez, Following tradition, King Salman bin Transportation Secretary everyone was offered Arabic TAbdulaziz Al Saud held , and Energy coffee before the President official talks with Philippines Secretary . and His Majesty were ushered President Rodrigo Roa Also in attendance were to the lunchroom followed Duterte at Rawdhat Khuraim National Security Adviser by the Royal Family, Cabinet in Riyadh Region. , Ministers, and the delegation. It is the first time in eight Presidential Adviser for After the official lunch, years that a Filipino leader Overseas Filipino Workers President Duterte and King was received in a state visit to Abdulla Mama-O, Chairman Salman were escorted to the the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. of Mindanao Development venue for the bilateral meeting The President thanked King Authority Datu Khayr D. and signing ceremony. Salman for hosting Filipino Alonto, Philippine Embassy to Among the signed workers in the country. The KSA Chargé d’Affaires Imelda agreements included a Saudi King, in turn, thanked Panolong, Special Assistant political consultation between President Duterte for the to the President Cristopher Saudi’s Ministry of Foreign Philippines’ contribution in Lawrence Go, and Senator Affairs and the Philippine providing professionals and . Department of Foreign Affairs, other skilled workers for the After short pleasantries, and a labour cooperation for Kingdom. King Salman introduced the general workers recruitment Accompanying the Royal Family and Cabinet and employment between President were Acting Foreign Ministers to President Duterte, the Ministry of Labour and Affairs Secretary Enrique and was reciprocated by the Social Development and the Manalo, Labour Secretary President who introduced Department of Labour and President Dutert and King Salman meeting army officers after guard of honour ceremony Silvestre Bello III, Defense his official delegation to His Employment.