DFA officials brief new leader on ASEAN protocols

MANILA – All eyes will be on Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte when he sets foot on the world stage for the first time next week.

The popular Philippine president, known for his brash language and penchant for breaking protocol, has gotten some attention from international media for his bloody war on drugs.

Duterte's schedule is expected to be tight as he is set to meet for the first time leaders from various countries, including US President Barack Obama, during the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Summit in Vientiane, Laos next week.

READ: Duterte set to meet with 9 world leaders

Foreign Affairs Assistant Secretary for ASEAN Affairs Hellen dela Vega said Duterte has been briefed about ASEAN Summit protocols.

''He’s basically a very informal person. But I think when he goes to the Summit, it’s very clear in his mind what he wants,'' Dela Vega said.

Dela Vega said Duterte will have more room for flexibility as the Philippines is taking over as chairman of ASEAN in 2017.

''I told him about ASEAN Protocol, that usually, the most junior --when I say ‘junior,’ ‘yung pinakahuling nag-join sa (the last to join) ASEAN as a head of government or head of state -- usually is the last to speak,'' Dela Vega said.

''But then I also said that we are in a special circumstance because we are incoming chair. So, in ASEAN, usually very flexible sila doon (they are usually very flexible in that regard.)

Asked whether she has told Duterte to hold off his cursing, Dela Vega explained that the president only curses out of frustration about certain issues.

''I think this kind of… if I may call it like, statements coming from him, was borne out of his frustration,'' she said.

Duterte will be out of the country from September 4 to 9. He will kick off his first trip abroad in Brunei to meet the Sultan of Brunei, His Majesty Haji Hassanal Bolkiah Mu'izzaddin Wad'daulah.

He will then proceed to Laos for the ASEAN Summit and then to Indonesia for a meeting with President Joko Widodo.

The plight of Mary Jane Veloso, the Filipina on death row in Indonesia, might be discussed by the two leaders.

Duterte's working visit to the country's neighbors also comes at a time the region is dealing with the aftermath of an arbitral tribunal ruling invalidating China's expansive claims to South China Sea.

Unlike his predecessor Benigno Aquino III, Duterte is keen on directly engaging Beijing with regard to the dispute.

EXPLAINING DUTERTE'S WAR ON DRUGS

Since assuming the presidency two months ago, Duterte has launched a war on illegal drugs which critics say has trampled on human rights and due process.

The U.S., United Nations officials and special rapporteurs, and human rights groups have raised concerns about the rising death toll in the campaign against illegal drugs.

Over 1,300 drug suspects have been killed by the police and suspected vigilantes since Duterte won the May 9 elections, and there are no signs yet of any let-up in the campaign.

With the spotlight on Duterte and his bloody campaign, Dela Vega said the controversial leader will do his best to explain the significance of his crusade before world leaders.

''He wants to make the international community aware that he’s very sincere to evolve genuine change in the country and he wants them to understand where he’s coming from as far as, for instance, this issue on the illicit drugs are concerned,'' she said.