MANILA, Dec. 13 (Xinhua) -- Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte left Tuesday for state visits to Cambodia and Singapore.
During his trip to Phnom Penh, Duterte said he would meet with Cambodian Prime Minister Samdech Techo Hun Sen "to discuss ways to further intensify bilateral cooperation and issues of mutual concern including defense and security measures, trade and investments, law enforcement and war against illegal trade of drugs."
He said he would also pay a courtesy call on Cambodian King Norodom Sihamoni.
Duterte's visit to Singapore starts on Wednesday. He is expected to hold talks with Singapore Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong.
"These state visits will reaffirm our relations with our close neighbors in Southeast Asia and seek to further strengthen our engagement with our brothers in the Association of Southeast Asian Nations," Duterte said in his departure speech.
Duterte said he would also discuss with the leaders of the two countries the Philippines' ASEAN chairmanship next year.
