Palace welcomes Trump’s extra day stay in PHL to attend East Asia Summit

Malacañang on Saturday welcomed the announcement of US President Donald Trump that he would spend an extra day in the Philippines to attend the East Asia Summit from November 13 to 14.

"The Palace welcomes the announcement of the White House that President Donald Trump would extend his stay in the Philippines to attend the East Asia Summit," Presidential Communications Secretary Martin Andanar said during an interview on state-run Radyo Pilipinas dzRB.

"The President looks forward to engaging President Trump in the productive dialogue at the ASEAN-US Commemorative Summit and the EAS," Andanar said.

Before leaving for his trip, Trump on Friday told reporters at the White House: "We're actually staying an extra day in the Philippines. We have a big conference, the second conference, and I think we're going to have great success."

Early gala dinner

The Palace official took note that the 31st ASEAN Summit and Related Meetings to be held mid-November will be different from the earlier ASEAN events held in the country as the gala dinner will be held a night before the meetings commence.

"Ito ay dahil sa experience ng mga nakaraan na pag nilalagay mo sa dulo ‘yung gala, maraming nale-late na pumupunta sapagkat sobrang hectic ng ASEAN," Andanar said.

"So sa Sunday pa lang before the 13th ay meron nang ASEAN Gala na mangyayari. Kumbaga, fresh pa ‘yung mga leaders natin kasi kararating pa lang ng Pilipinas and nakapaghanda na rin ‘yung mga senior ministers days prior to that," he added.

The Palace official added that the security measures are all set for the 31st ASEAN Summit.

Andanar said the country's security forces will have a "show of force" on Sunday.

"Ipapakita nila sa buong mundo ‘yung dami ng security na idedeploy nila... so it shouldn’t be a problem, security shouldn’t be a problem," Andanar said.

"Kumbaga, may napaghandaan the entire year. At since we are about to approach the culminating event of the 31st ASEAN, we will need to ensure the security of the ASEAN leaders plus the partnering countries," he said.

"Oo, good to go na ito... of course being the chairman of the entire ASEAN, the President also is preparing himself kasi lahat ng mga meetings doon na request nila... siya ’yung magma-manage ng mga multilateral meetings na mangyayari," he added.