President Duterte thanks South Korean gov’t for giving equal protection to Filipinos there

President Rodrigo Roa Duterte is swarmed by supporters upon his arrival at the Grand Hilton Convention Center Seoul as he meets with the Filipino community based in South Korea on June 3, 2018. ACE MORANDANTE/PRESIDENTIAL PHOTO

 

(Eagle News) — President Rodrigo Duterte thanked the government of South Korea for taking care of Filipinos in their country, as government noted that Filipinos are given equal coverage and protection as locals and enjoy the same wage, working hours, privileges, as well as insurance, benefits, and other support program.

“I’d like to thank the Korean government, South Korea, for hosting so many Filipinos here — keeping them safe,” the President said in his speech at the Convention Hall, Grand Hilton Hotel and Convention Center during his meeting with the Filipino community on Sunday, June 3.

The President started his three-day Official Visit to the Republic of Korea by spending more than two hours with Filipinos who were very excited, and some even becoming teary-eyed and emotional when they finally saw him during the event.

President Rodrigo Roa Duterte delivers his speech during the meeting with the Filipino community at the Grand Hilton Convention Center Seoul in South Korea on June 3, 2018. RICHARD MADELO/PRESIDENTIAL PHOTO
A supporter turns emotional upon seeing President Rodrigo Roa Duterte during his meeting with the Filipino community at the Grand Hilton Convention Center Seoul in South Korea on June 3, 2018. RICHARD MADELO/PRESIDENTIAL PHOTO
A Filipino based in South Korea uses his mobile phone as a make shift placard to express his support for President Rodrigo Roa Duterte during his meeting with the Filipino community at the Grand Hilton Convention Center Seoul in South Korea on June 3, 2018. TOTO LOZANO/PRESIDENTIAL PHOTO

There are an estimated 68,000 Filipinos currently residing in South Korea, according to the Department of Foreign Affairs, comprising mostly of workers who entered South Korea under the employment permit system (EPS), students, professionals, missionaries, and spouses of Korean nationals.

Philippine Ambassador to Republic of Korea Raul Hernandez said most of the Filipinos are based in the Seoul Metropolitan Area and the surrounding citizen towns in the Gyeonggi province, and are adequately protected by the South Korean government.

On Monday, June 4, President Duterte will lay a wreath at the Seoul National Cemetery to honor the fallen soldiers, leaders, and heroes of South Korea.

-Meeting with President Moon Jae-in – 

President Duterte will then proceed to Cheong Wa Dae (Blue House), the official residence of the Republic of Korea, and meet with President Moon Jae-in for the bilateral summit meeting.

The Philippine leader will also witness the signing of agreements which will be followed by a joint press statement of the two leaders at the Cheong Wa Dae.

The South Korean leader will then host a dinner for President Duterte at the State Guest House.

On the last day of his Official Visit in South Korea, President Duterte will participate in a forum hosted by the Korean business community.

Hernandez said Duterte’s meeting with the business community on Tuesday is one of the highlights of his visit, noting that the gathering is seen as an opportunity to promote the Philippines to Korean investors.

President Duterte will cap off his Official Visit by gracing the Philippine Food Festival at the E-Mart headquarters, where Philippine agriculture products will be showcased in one of the biggest supermarket chains here.

When the Korean War broke out in 1950, the Philippines was the first in Asia to send troops.

“After that, South Korea has never forgotten our principled stand for freedom and it has always cherished our brotherhood forged in blood,” Ambassador Hernandez said.

“So over the years, the leaders and the officials of the two countries continue to nourish this relationship and which led to the current state of robust and vibrant bilateral relations,” he added.

Hernandez said South Korea is the 7th largest trading partner of the Philippines with trade relations totaling around US$10.6 billion and the 5th largest Official Development Assistance (ODA) partner of the Philippines, with about US$570 million dollars in loans and grants last year.

Seoul is also one of the foremost defense and security partners of the Philippines, according to Hernandez.

South Korea is also the top tourist source of the Philippines with about 1.6 million of its nationals visiting in 2017 (with a PND report)

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