By Arjay L. Balinbin

THE Kingdom of Saudi Arabia’s (KSA) Prince Abdulaziz bin Saud bin Naif was in Manila on Monday, March 19, assuring President Rodrigo R. Duterte in their meeting that the government of Saudi Arabia is ready to combat violent extremism and terrorism.

Prince Abdulaziz, who also serves as Saudi Arabia’s Minister of Interior, was on his last day of his three-day official visit in the country, the Presidential News Desk (PND) said in a statement.

“The Prince conveyed the readiness of KSA to combat violent extremism and terrorism,” Presidential Spokesperson Hermino Harry L. Roque, Jr. said in a separate statement.

The President, for his part, according to Mr. Roque, thanked the Prince for the visit and reaffirmed the commitment of the Philippines to the fight against terrorism and violent extremism.

“The Prince conveyed the deep respect of the Saudi King for the President’s strong and decisive action that led to the liberation of Marawi from extremists and terrorists,” Mr. Roque added.

The President’s spokesman described the meeting between the Saudi Prince and the Philippine President as “very warm and cordial.”

The Prince, Mr. Roque added, “conveyed the personal and warm wishes of His Majesty and the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman to the President.”

“The Prince reaffirmed the importance of the Philippines to Saudi Arabia.”

Mr. Duterte also told Prince Abdulaziz that there is “a need to expand cooperation across many fields, especially in security, trade and investment, as well as in promoting the rights, safety and well-being of Filipinos.”

In honor of the Prince, Mr. Duterte hosted a luncheon at the President’s hall.

“Over a specially prepared Filipino inspired menu, the two discussed the strengthening bilateral relations and issues of mutual importance, particularly in law enforcement, peace and order and security,” Mr. Roque said further.

Among the Cabinet officials who accompanied the President, the PND said, “were Executive Secretary Salvador C. Medialdea, Labor Secretary Silvestre H. Bello III, Defense Secretary Delfin N. Lorenzana, Interior and Local Government officer-in-charge Eduardo M. Año, National Security Adviser Hermogenes C. Esperon, and Special Assistant to the President Christopher Lawrence “Bong” T. Go.”

The PND likewise said the Saudi Prince “arrived in the country last Saturday, and he also met with several Philippine officials over the weekend.”

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