President Rodrigo Duterte speaks at the 12th anniversary of the Eastern Mindanao Command at Naval Station Felix Apolinario in Panacan, Davao City on August 23, 2018. Albert Alcain, Malacañang Photo

MANILA - President Rodrigo Duterte on Monday said he would bring retiring military and police officers on his historic trip to Israel this September.

Duterte will be in Israel on an official visit from September 2 to 5, making him the first Philippine president to set foot in the Jewish state since the two countries established ties in 1957.

“I would be going there with some retiring military and police officers. Marami kami (there are many of us), that is my gift to them for serving the country,” Duterte told reporters at the sidelines of the commemoration of National Heroes Day in Taguig City.

After his Israel visit, Duterte will then fly to Jordan.

Duterte revealed this after he was asked to react to Magdalo party-list Rep. Gary Alejano’s claim that the President would go to Israel to seek medical attention and not really check on the situation of Filipinos working there.

“Kung operahan nila ang utak ko mas maganda. (If they will do an operation on my brain, then it’s better),” Duterte said in jest. “And then I can have my stomach open, my chest open, and then brain.”

The Palace has labeled Alejano’s claim as “misinformation.”

In his visit to Israel, Duterte is expected to meet Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and President Reuven Rivlin to discuss cooperation in labor, tourism, trade, agriculture, counterterrorism and law enforcement.

The President will also meet with the Filipino community there. Israel is home to thousands of Filipinos, mostly working as caregivers.

Israel Ambassador to the Philippines Effie Ben Matityau earlier said both countries are preparing a list of agreements in the fields of defense, technology, and food as well as a labor agreement that would ensure that Filipino workers in Israel are paid fairly and treated well.

Duterte is also expected to visit the Holy Land, Matityau said.