PORT MORESBY — President Rodrigo Roa Duterte arrived in Papua New Guinea on Friday to attend the two-day APEC Leaders’ Meeting as well as to meet the Filipino community.

The President arrived at the Jacksons International Airport at 6:05 a.m. and was received by several officials of Papua New Guinea.

The officials who welcomed the President were Papua New Guinea Chief of the Diplomatic Protocol Ambassador Morea Veratau, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Treasury Charles Abel, Foreign Minister Rimbink Pato, APEC Minister Justin Tkatchenko, and Papua New Guinea Ambassador to the Philippines Nawi Bokuik.

The members of the President’s official delegation include Foreign Affairs Secretary Teodoro Locsin Jr., Finance Secretary Carlos Dominguez III, Agriculture Secretary Emmanuel Piñol, Trade Secretary Ramon Lopez, Presidential Spokesperson Salvador Panelo, and Presidential Communications Operations Office Secretary Martin Andanar.

After arriving in Papua New Guinea, the President is expected to meet the members of the Filipino community at the FAPNG Clubhouse, Filipino Community Center. There are more than 40,000 Filipinos working or living in Papua New Guinea, according to the Department of Foreign Affairs.

The President’s itinerary for Saturday includes ABAC Dialogue with APEC leaders and APEC Leaders’ Dialogue with Pacific Islands Leaders. He will also attend the AELM Gala Dinner and cultural performance.

On Sunday, President Duterte will join fellow leaders in an official APEC leaders’ family photo. After that, he will participate in the IMF Informal Dialogue with Leaders.

Before his departure back to the Philippines on Sunday, the President will also participate in the Leaders’ Retreat and the Leaders’ Working Lunch.###PND