(Eagle News) — The Palace on Monday, Sept. 3, denied Israeli media reports President Rodrigo Duterte brought a huge delegation to Israel, where he is now on a four-day official visit.
According to Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque, the President’s delegation was composed only of 46 people, including Executive Secretary Salvador Medialdea, Foreign Affairs Secretary Alan Peter Cayetano, Energy Secretary Alfonso Cusi, National Security Adviser Hermogenes Esperon, Labor Secretary Silvestre Bello III, Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana, Trade Secretary Ramon Lopez, Environment Secretary Roy Cimatu,Transportation Secretary Arthur Tugade and Special Assistant to the President Bong Go.
Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte, and the President’s grandson, Marko Digong; Senator Richard Gordon; Interior Secretary Eduardo Año; Presidential Political Adviser Francis Tolentino; Roque; Philippine Coast Guard commandant Elson Hermogino; and Roque were also included in the trip, a first for a Philippine President.
Earlier, the Times of Israel reported that Duterte has a 400-man delegation “including top army and police officials” based on a report from Kan, the Israeli state broadcaster.
After his trip to Israel, the President will proceed to Jordan.
Justice Secretary Menardo Guevarra has been designated officer in charge while the President is away.