Duterte begins historic trip to Jerusalem
To seek broader economic, defense cooperation with Israel
President Duterte has embarked on a weeklong historic visit to Israel and Jordan to seek broader economic and defense cooperation as well as protection of Filipino workers.
Before leaving the country, the President said his landmark visits to the two countries underscore his vision that "a Philippines that is a
friend to all and an enemy to no one.”
Duterte, accompanied by his daughter Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte Carpio and several Cabinet members, will first travel to Israel for an official visit from September 2 and 5. His next stop will be Jordan on September 6 to 8.
"My schedule will be full. I shall seek to reaffirm the ties between our peoples made more significant by a meaningful shared history," the President said in his departure statement at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport Terminal 2.
"At the same time, I shall seek to have a robust relationship that looks forward to broader cooperation on a broad range of mutually important areas – defense and security, law enforcement, economic development, trade [and] investments and labor," he added.
The President is scheduled to hold separate talks with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and President Reuven Revlin during his historic trip.
The Philippines and Israel are expected to forge agreements on the employment of Filipino caregivers, scientific cooperation, and investment cooperation during Duterte's visit.
Duterte said he also accepted the invitation of King Abdullah II for an official visit to Jordan. He acknowledged that the agenda in Jordan was "promising" as he seeks to renew relations with a country and people that have the common aspirations.
"Certainly, I look forward to discussing ways [of] advancing cooperation in the key areas of improving defense and security, sustaining growth, addressing transnational crime, intensifying trade and investments and enhancing labor cooperation," he said.
In his visits to Israel and Jordan, the President said he would try "to fully maximize economic cooperation and realize trade potential" with the two nations.
Duterte said a Filipino business delegation would join his visit to explore the diverse trade and investment opportunities that make Jordan and Israel "more tempting to offer."
"Of course, we will invite their business leaders to look at our own rich market potential," he added.
In both countries, the President also plans to look into the plight of the Filipino workers and ensure their safety and protection.
"With more than two million Filipinos [working] in that region, I intend to emphasize the great importance that the Philippines attaches to maintaining peace and stability in the region," he said.
"We have about 28,000 Filipinos in Israel and there are 48,000 Filipinos in Jordan and you know, without mentioning anything, there’s a volatile situation there and we have to be sure that our citizens are fully protected," he added.
As he travels abroad, the President said he would be guided by his mandate uphold and protect the national interests of the Philippines.
"The Philippines shares with all countries the desire for a stable and secure world," he said.
"In our efforts to strengthen the bonds of friendship and amity with our partners around the world, we shall be guided by our Constitution and laws as well as our international commitments in support of efforts and initiatives, including the two-state solution, towards the attainment of just and lasting peace," he added.
The President has designated Justice Secretary Menardo Guevarra to be the officer-in-charge while he is abroad.
The President's delegation included Foreign Affairs Secretary Alan Peter Cayetano, Trade Secretary Ramon Lopez, Labor Secretary Silvestre Bello III, Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana, Environment Secretary Roy Cimatu, Transportation Secretary Arthur Tugade, Energy Secretary Alfonso Cusi, Interior and Local Government acting Secretary Eduardo Año, National Secretary Adviser Hermogenes Esperon Jr. Presidential Spokesman Harry Roque, Presidential political adviser Francis Tolentino, Chief Presidential Legal Counsel Salvador Panelo, Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) commandant Rear Admiral Elson Hermogino, and Housing and Land Use Regulatory Board chief executive officer and commissioner Lloyd Christopher Lao.
Pivot ''We assign great importance to this visit, which symbolizes the strong, warm ties between our two peoples,'' Israel's foreign ministry said in a statement.
Duterte has pivoted the Philippines away from its former colonial master the United States and toward warmer diplomatic and business ties with China and Russia.
The US and Canada have both had military hardware deals fall apart with the Philippines due to concerns over Duterte's drug war. But so far sales with Israel have gone smoothly.
Israel is among the world's top arms dealers, with nearly 60 percent of its defense exports going to the Asia Pacific region, according to Israeli defense ministry data.
Holocaust Memorial visit
JERUSALEM – President Duterte is set to visit the Yad Vashem Holocaust Memorial Center on Monday as part of his four-day historic visit to Israel.
During his visit, Duterte will take part in the wreath-laying ceremony at the Hall of Remembrance. The President is also signing the guest book at the Children's Memorial Hall.
According to The Times of Israel, Duterte will take part in a ceremony inaugurating a monument to the Filipino rescue of Jews during the Holocaust.
With Israel, the Philippines is celebrating the 81st anniversary of the Open Doors policy of the Philippines under then President Manuel L. Quezon who offered shelter to more than a thousand Jews escaping the holocaust in Europe.
According to Philippine Ambassador to Israel Nathaniel Imperial, the Philippine embassy and the Israeli government dedicated in 2009 the Open Doors monument in the city of Rishon Lezion to commemorate the humanitarian assistance extended to the around 1,300 Jewish refugees in the 1930s.
"We expect the President to visit this important site which symbolizes our strong friendship with the Israeli people. And you know it’s an important part and highlight of the visit of the President," he said.
Imperial said that there are three pillars that form a triangle and represent doors that are opening inward. He said the footprints of Max Weissler, one of the refugees allowed to enter the Philippines and had survived the Holocaust, can be seen imprinted on the marble floor.