Department of Foreign Affairs (INQUIRER FILE PHOTO)
MANILA, Philippines — Officials from the National Defense, Justice, and Foreign Affairs agencies may join President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. on his trip to Washington D.C. this May, according to Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) spokesperson Teresita Daza on Friday.
According to Daza, the final list of officials included in Marcos’ official working visit to the United States (US) is not final and will be more specific when the date draws closer.
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The possible list includes the chiefs of the Department of National Defense (DND) and the Department of Justice (DOJ).
“He would bring with him, of course, our Secretary of Foreign Affairs, the Secretary of DND, most likely the National Security Council, members of the economic team, and because of certain aspects, maybe the Secretary of Justice,” said Daza in a press briefing.
While she did not elaborate why DOJ Chief Jesus Crispin Remulla would be included in the trip, Daza stated that Marcos and US President Joe Biden would tackle defense issues.
This meeting comes amid territorial tensions in the West Philippine Sea.
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“From the perspective of the Philippines and members of the region, we are looking at great powers, including the United States, to calm the waters, because as I earlier said, we want the waters to be a sea of peace. We are also very wary of possible miscalculation or further escalation of tensions in the region,” said Daza.
Other than defense, however, the DFA emphasized that the visit also serves economic purposes.
Marcos is also expected to bring selected business owners, as he is also slated to meet with the business committee in the US.
“I have to also assume he will also have some businessmen come in who may join him in the trip,” she said.