The members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints paid a courtesy call on President Rodrigo Roa Duterte on Wednesday discussing with the Philippine leader important issues confronting the country today.

During the call at the Malago Clubhouse, the religious group expressed its concern on the effects of the Taal Volcano eruption to the local residents in Batangas and nearby provinces. The group also discussed with President Duterte the illegal drug trade problem as well as the peace and order situation in the Philippines.

The President expressed his gratitude to the church members for visiting him and for giving him a Bible and a personalized image of Jesus Christ. He also told them about his experiences on Bible reading before becoming president.

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints members who met the President were Quorum of the Twelve Apostles Elder Quentin L. Cook, Philippines Area President Elder Evan A. Schmutz, Area Seventy Elder Aretemio C. Maligon, Patriarch of Novaliches Stake (Diocese) Atty. Edwin B. Bellen, Senior Manager for Media Relations Doug Andersen and Philippines Area Communication Director Haidi F. Fajardo.

On the government side, among the officials present were Department of Social Welfare and Development Secretary Rolando Joselito Bautista, Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency Dir. Gen. Aaron Aquino, Sen. Christopher Lawrence “Bong” Go and Chief of Presidential Protocol Robert Borje. PND