President Rodrigo R. Duterte said he may still face roadblocks in entering the United States (US) despite the invitation extended to him by the White House.
In a press briefing, Presidential spokesperson Salvador S. Panelo said Duterte is still “pondering” if he will go to the scheduled US-Association of Southeast Asian Nations (US-ASEAN) summit on March since his presence may offend some US senators.
On Jan. 9, the US Senate passed a resolution calling on the US executive branch to impose travel and visa restriction to Filipino officials, who are responsible for the alleged extrajudicial killings in the government war against illegal drugs and the detention of Senator Leila De Lima.
“He doesn’t want to go there and if he is already there, some US senators would be unhappy seeing him there, because he is supposed to be number one on the list,” Panelo said.
He also added Duterte is worried he may not be issued a US visa.
“I do not even know if US will issue me a visa. And if I’m issued a visa, I do not know if when I arrive in the States I would be allowed entry,” Panelo said quoting Duterte’s position on the matter.
On Wednesday, former Philippine National Police (PNP) chief and Senator Ronald “Bato” Dela Rosa confirmed his US visa was cancelled.
Panelo, however, said the development is not a cause of concern since DeLa Rosa was still allowed by the US government to reapply.
“It’s the prerogative and right of any state to disallow or to allow any citizen of any country,” Panelo said.
“Since he is still allowed to reapply…it is a non issue for me,” he added.
Panelo issued the pronouncement on Thursday, two days after Duterte gave an interview with Russian Times (RT), where Duterte categorically said he will not attend the US-ASEAN summit.
During the interview, Duterte cited his displeasure against former US President Barack Obama, who criticized the government’s campaign against illegal drugs, why he will decline to attend the summit.
When asked about the said RT interview, Panelo said he will ask Duterte if he will maintain his position on the issue.