Duterte cancels trip to Japan

President Rodrigo Duterte has cancelled a trip to Tokyo, Japan scheduled for early June in view of the ongoing battle for control of Marawi City in Mindanao.

The President was scheduled to participate in the 23rd International Conference on the Future of Asia in Tokyo on June 5 to 6.

“H.E. Mr. Rodrigo Duterte, President of Republic of the Philippines, has canceled his appearance at this year’s conference,” the Secretariat of the event told Sun.Star in an electronic mail sent Tuesday.

It would have been Duterte’s second trip to Japan as the country’s president. He visited Japan in October last year.

Presidential Spokesperson Ernesto Abella said the President’s presence in the country is necessary.

“As far as we know, he would rather stay here,” Abella told reporters in a press conference.

Duterte apparently wants to closely monitor the ongoing clashes between government forces and terrorist groups in Marawi.

The clashes prompted Duterte to place Mindanao under martial law for 60 days effective May 23.

The President was on a state visit to Russia when he made the declaration, several hours after fighting erupted. He cut short his trip and returned home to address the situation in Marawi.