Duterte meetings: Singapore seeks more flights; Japan lauds BOL

ENDURING TIES In his meeting with President Duterte on Thursday, Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe hails the passage of the Bangsamoro Organic Law while vowing to strengthen Tokyo’s cooperation in efforts to promote peace and development in Mindanao. —MALACAÑANG PHOTO

SINGAPORE—President Duterte explored areas of cooperation in infrastructure, trade, tourism and the peace process in Mindanao when he met with Singapore Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong and Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe.

In separate bilateral meetings, Mr. Duterte met with the two leaders on the sidelines of the 33rd Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean) Summit that ended here on Thursday.

The President first met with Lee on Wednesday, discussing possible cooperation in trade and tourism.

Presidential spokesperson Salvador Panelo said Singapore appealed for more direct flights between the Philippines and the city-state to improve trade and tourism relations.

“He (Lee) wanted that we increase flights so that [these] will improve the influx of tourists in the country as well as the trade relations,” Panelo said in a press briefing.

Dialogue partner

The President and Lee also discussed the assistance Singapore had extended to the Philippines during the recent typhoons that hit the country.

The following day, Mr. Duterte sat for a meeting with Abe shortly after the closing ceremony of the Asean Summit at the Suntec Singapore Convention and Exhibition Center.

Japan is one of the dialogue partners of the 10-member regional bloc.

In a statement, Malacañang said the two leaders discussed cooperation in peace and infrastructure development.

“I look forward to having a productive discussion with you on strengthening Japan-Philippines cooperation in the area of consolidation of peace, as well as infrastructure development,” Abe said.

The Japanese leader also congratulated the Philippines for passing the Bangsamoro Organic Law (BOL), conveying Tokyo’s intention to strengthen cooperation relating to the peace process in Mindanao.

Marawi rehab

“President Duterte, for his part, thanked Japan for contributing to the peace and development in Mindanao, particularly in the rehabilitation of Marawi,” Panelo said.

Speaking to reporters before the bilateral meeting, Mr. Duterte said he would convey to Abe issues of mutual interest in the region. These include the crafting of a code of conduct among claimant states in the South China Sea, trade and commerce, as well as developments in the Korean peninsula.

At the meeting, Abe also extended Japan’s sympathies to the victims of the recent typhoons that hit the Philippines, while Mr. Duterte expressed gratitude for the Japanese assistance extended to Filipinos affected by disasters.

“Both leaders also discussed issues pertaining to the disputed South China Sea, during which [Mr. Duterte] stressed the Philippines’ commitment to uphold the principles of freedom of navigation and overflight, freedom of commerce and other lawful activities, exercise of self-restraint, and the peaceful resolution of disputes,” Panelo said.