King of Saudi 'deeply respects' president Duterte for Marawi liberation

Executive Secretary Salvador Medialdea, Labor Secretary Silvestre Bello III, Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana, Interior and Local Government officer-in-charge Eduardo Año, National Security Adviser Hermogenes Esperon, and Special Assistant to the President Christopher Lawrence “Bong” Go were among the Cabinet who joined the president

Manila, Philippines – The king of Saudi Arabia conveyed his “deep respect” for President Rodrigo Duterte for his leadership to liberate Marawi City from the grip of ISIS-inspired terrorist groups.

Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque confirmed that it was His Royal Highness  Prince Abdulaziz bin Saud bin Naif who conveyed the Saudi King’s message for the President during their meeting in Malacañang.

Prince Abdulaziz,   is also Saudi’s Minister of Interior, arrived in the country last Saturday for a three-day official visit.

“The Prince conveyed the deep respect of the Saudi King for the President's strong and decisive action that led to the liberation of Marawi from extremists and terrorists,” Roque said in a statement.

The Saudi prince arrived in the palace at around 2 pm also met with several Philippine officials over the weekend.

Roque shared that during their meeting, Prince Abdulaziz relayed the personal and warm wishes of King Salman to the president and reaffirmed the importance of the Philippines to Saudi Arabia.

Meanwhile, President Duterte thanked the Prince for his visit and reiterated the commitment of the Philippines to defeat and smash the backbone of terrorism and violent extremism in the country.

Furthermore, the president stressed the need to expand cooperation across fields which includes security, trade and investment. He also highlighted the promotion of rights, safety and well-being of the Filipinos.

Roque also said that the meeting between the president and the Saudi royalty was “very warm and cordial”, thereafter, the chief executive hosted a luncheon to honor the visiting prince held at the President’s hall.

“Over a specially prepared Filipino inspired menu, the two discussed the strengthening bilateral relations and issues of mutual importance, particularly in law enforcement, peace and order and security,” Roque said

Source: PNA