Philippines: President Duterte to visit Middle East

President Duterte plans to visit three Middle East countries during the Holy Week in his bid to boost relations and secure better working conditions for Filipino workers.

He has yet to set a date for his visits to Saudi Arabia, Qatar and Bahrain, but revealed he has been reviewing subjects that need to be tackled with the leaders and officials of the three nations.

Duterte has frequently made reference in his speeches to Filipinos working in the Middle East, as their families were usually victims of the ill effects of illegal drugs.

Duterte announced his plan to visit the Middle East in remarks marking the end of Women’s Month at Malacañang last Friday.

He said that while the presidency had never been in his original plan, he now has to make the most of it and serve the people to the best of his ability.

He vowed no letup in his campaign against illegal drugs and criminality in general and against corruption.

“What’s bugging the country? Drugs and terrorism; it would have been like heaven had there been no drugs and terrorism,” he said in Filipino.

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