/ AFP PHOTO / STR
Duterte is on a two-day state visit to Cambodia. / AFP PHOTO / STR
(Eagle News) — Despite a religious retreat, King Norodom Sihamoni of Cambodia, took time out to receive Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte at the Royal Palace in Phnom Penh where he was given arrival honors.
Foreign Affairs Secretary Perfecto Yasay Jr., said that Wednesday, December 14, was a Buddhist holiday in Cambodia, but King Norodom Sihamoni still decided to meet President Duterte at the Royal Palace.
“We had earlier a bilateral meeting with His Royal Majesty and you see the king of Cambodia is a very cultured person, very intelligent, very regal, very elegant, well respected by the people and I was personally amazed by the fact that our President had measured up to this very important occasion,” he said.
The Foreign Secretary noted the very warm welcome given to President Duterte in Cambodia.
He said that before the President arrived at the Royal Palace, Cambodian students waving Philippine flags and carrying pictures of Duterte lined the streets.
He also told reporters that the Philippine government had initially requested a working visit for Duterte in Cambodia, but that Cambodia decided to make it a state visit.