Palace: Duterte’s visit to Israel can be ‘controversial’

Malacañang admitted on Thursday that President Rodrigo Duterte’s visit to Israel in September could become “controversial.”

However, Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque refused to elaborate, saying he would defer to the Department of Foreign Affairs on disclosing details about the trip.

“On Israel, I was going to take the position that I will defer to the Department of Foreign Affairs and I think you know why, the trip itself can be controversial,” Roque told the press at Ipil Municipal Hall in Zamboanga Sibugay province.

“So, my position is I still defer to the Secretary of Foreign Affairs, despite the statement made by Special Assistant to the President (SAP) Bong Go,” Roque added.

Special Assistant to the President Christopher “Bong” Go revealed on Wednesday that Duterte will be flying to Israel on September, making him the first Philippine President to visit the Jewish state.

READ: Duterte to visit Israel in September

In 2016, Duterte sparked massive international criticism as he compared himself to Adolf Hitler, saying he would be happy to kill 3 million addicts like how Hitler slaughtered 6 million Jews during the Holocaust.

READ: Duterte ‘happy to slaughter’ drug suspects; cites Hitler

US trip

Meanwhile, Roque also mentioned that Philippine Ambassador to the United States (US) Jose Manuel Romualdez was still convincing Duterte to accept US President Donald Trump’s invitation.

“On the trip to the US, I will confirm that I had a short conversation with Secretary Romualdez… He has said that he will not give up on convincing the President to accept the pending invitation of President Trump for President Duterte to visit the United States, but I have no other details other than that,” Roque said.

On Wednesday, Duterte admitted that his visit to the US was just a matter of scheduling, contradicting his earlier statement that he will never go to the US after Washington’s criticisms on his war on illegal drugs. — Syrah Vivien Inocencio/INQUIRER.net Intern

READ: Duterte: My visit to ‘friend’ Trump in US just a matter of scheduling

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