File photo: Japan’s Prime Minister Shinzo Abe arrives at the ASEAN Summit in Vientiane, Laos September 7, 2016. REUTERS/Soe Zeya Tun

On January 12 to 13, 2017, Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe will visit the Philippines.

He is the first head of state to visit the country through the invitation of President Rodrigo Duterte.

One of the possible discussions for bilateral meeting between Pres. Duterte and Prime Minister Abe is the loan package offered by Japan to the Philippines amounting to 2.4 billion dollars for a new railway not only in Manila but also in Mindanao.

Meanwhile, Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana confirmed that there are 10 Japanese coastguard ships to be given to the Philippines.

This is aside from the four small aircrafts offered for lease at less expensive rate.

“Mayroon silang ibinibigay sa ating coastguard ships, walo plus two equals 10. Then, mayroon silang ile-lease sa ating apat na eroplanong maliliit at a very cheap price,” Sec. Lorenzana said.

(They will give us coastguard ships, eight plus two equals 10. Then, they are leasing four small aircraft at a very cheap price.)

Prime Minister Abe is set to go to Davao City and Manila.

Meanwhile, there is no official date yet on when the gathering of the members of diplomatic corps, Pres. Duterte’s Cabinet and representatives of the branches of government will be for the vin d’honneur. But this is expected to happen any day next week after the long holidays.

Vin d’honneur is a traditional diplomatic function held by Malacañang every Independence Day and New Year. — Rosalie Coz | UNTV News & Rescue

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