Palace denies Duterte brought 400 delegates in his Israel trip

JERUSALEM – Malacañang on Monday denied that President Rodrigo Duterte brought along 400 delegates during his four-day official visit here.

“The total number of official delegates and accompanying delegates consists of 46 pax [persons] total. That’s in the official list. I do know there’s a substantial business delegation of at least 150 who are all traveling on their own accounts,” Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque told reporters.

Local media here reported that Duterte brought with him 400 delgates, including military and police officials.

However, Roque denied the huge figure suggested by the media. “Not sure where the figure of 400 came from,” he said.   /vvp