Duterte Arrives in Indonesia

Jakarta, 07 Dzulhijjah 1437/09 September 2016 (MINA) – President Rodrigo Duterte is in Indonesia for his first-ever state visit as president.

Duterte landed in Jakarta’s Halim International Airport on Thursday evening, September 8 at about 9:56 pm. Philippine Airlines PR 001 took off at around 7:20 pm local time from Vientiane.

According to rappler.com, he headed straight to Shangri-La Hotel from the airport, after a long day in Laos on the last day of the ASEAN Summit.

Duterte is scheduled to meet Indonesian President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo on Friday, September 9. They are expected to talk about a range of topics from their governments’ respective domestic drug wars to the Abu Sayyaf, among other topics.

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His one-day visit begins at 11:30 am, when he meets with the Filipino community in Indonesia, where he is scheduled to make a speech and have a photo opportunity.

The event will be followed by a wreath laying ceremony at the Heroes’ Cemetery at 2:15 pm in South Jakarta.

Jokowi also plans to take Duterte to Tanah Abang in Central Jakarta, Southeast Asia’s largest textile market. Last year, Jokowi took Australian Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull to the same market.

Duterte will then be welcomed at the State Palace by Jokowi at 3:00 pm before talks between the two. Their meeting will be followed by a joint press statement.

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At 7:00 pm, Duterte will be honored at a state banquet also in the Palace before he leaves for the airport. He departs Jakarta at 9:00 pm for Davao City, Philippines. (T/R07/R01)

Mi’raj Islamic News Agency (MINA)