Duterte meets Hollywood actor Stephen Baldwin
DESPITE his hectic schedule, President Rodrigo Duterte on Wednesday, August 1, managed to meet Hollywood actor Stephen Baldwin, who is currently shooting a film in the country.
Baldwin, set to star in a drug-themed movie titled "Kaibigan," paid a courtesy call on the President at the Grand Hyatt Hotel Manila in Bonifacio Global City, Taguig City, on Wednesday night.
Photos from Special Assistant to the President Christopher Lawrence Go showed Baldwin doing Duterte's signature fistbump pose with no less than the Chief Executive himself.
In a statement sent to Palace reporters, Go said Baldwin heaped praise on Duterte's "successful leadership style."
The President, for his part, merely reiterated his resolve to eradicate illegal drugs, criminality, and corruption, a promise he had made during the 2016 presidential campaign.
"Mr. Baldwin praised the President for his high trust rating among Filipinos and stated that it was a clear indicator of his successful leadership style," Go said.
"The President then explained that he was only trying to implement what he promised during the presidential campaign, which is to fight illegal drugs, put an end to corruption, and restore peace and security in the country. The President said that one of the ways to gain respect of the people is to fulfill one's promises," he added.
Stressing that "Kaibigan" film would be an eye-opener to everyone, Baldwin had invited Duterte to attend its premiere showing scheduled by either October or November this year, Go said.
The Hollywood actor emphasized that the movie was meant to deliver a message to the youth "on the consequences of making wrong choices in life."
"He (Baldwin) said that movies are one of the most effective ways to promote an advocacy, such as this. He also believes that if prevention from vices can be implemented early on, government leaders such as the President would have an easier job," Duterte's special aide said.
Go said Baldwin had also given Duterte a book titled "The Unusual Suspect," an autobiopgraphy about the Hollywood actor's outlook in life after making a personal commitment to Christ.
Duterte, who does not believe in religion but believes in God, had promised to find time to read the book, his most-trusted aide added.
Go said the two also had a light conversation about non-political issues, when Baldwin had sought Duterte's opinion on the engagement of his daughter, Hailey Baldwin, to pop singer Justin Bieber.
"The President responded that as long as Mr. Bieber truly believes in the sanctity of marriage, Mr. Baldwin has nothing to worry about," he said.
The President had told Baldwin that "he will always be welcome in the Philippines" and that he is willing to "extend his help to him in whatever form, should he need it," Go said. (Ruth Abbey Gita/ SunStar Philippines)
"We have seen the video, and the Philippine Embassy in Tripoli confirmed that indeed 'yong tatlong lalaki na nandoon sa video were the three Filipino technicians kidnapped last month," DFA Assistant Secretary and Spokesperson Elmer Cato told reporters in an interview.
At the same time, he said the government is doing its best to ensure the safety and release of the Filipinos.
"We are glad to see them alive and safe. We'd like to assure their families that we're doing everything we can to ensure their safe and early release," he added.
On Thursday morning, a video circulated on social media, in which four men asked their governments for help. One of whom identified himself as a South Korean and the other three as Filipinos, who were working on a water supply project.
The kidnapping was reported a month ago by the Philippine Embassy in Tripoli.
According to Chargé D’affaires Mardomel Melicor, the perpetrators entered the victims' construction site, located 500 kilometers from the capital, and took five foreigners and four Libyans from their quarters.
The armed men later released one of the foreign workers and all the Libyans.