Duterte’s visit coincided with the 60th anniversary of ties between the two countries. / AFP PHOTO / AUNG HTET
President Duterte’s trip to Myanmar was upon the invitation of Myanmar President, U Htin Kyaw. Both assumed office in 2016. The two leaders held a bilateral meeting that saw the signing of an agreement on food security and agricultural cooperation.
The diplomatic relations of the two countries turned 60 years last year. Formal ties were established in 1956, while the Philippine embassy in Yangon was opened in 1958.
According to the Philippine embassy in Myanmar, there are about 1,000 Filipinos there, and most of them work in international organizations and foreign firms.
Myanmar is home to approximately 1,800 Filipinos, data from the embassy show, and many of them are employed in foreign firms and international organizations.