By Genalyn Kabiling
President Duterte said he was having second thoughts with his planned visits to Israel and Jordan due to travel costs.
President Rodrigo Roa Duterte
(PRESIDENTIAL PHOTO/ MANILA BULLETIN)
The President made the admission just hours after Malacañang announced he was set to visit the two countries next month to enhance bilateral relations.
"It’s expensive flying around I’m having my second thoughts about going to Jordan and Israel because of the expense,” Duterte said during the launch of the "Pilipinas Angat Lahat Alliance" in Malacañang.
“Last time I went commercial but they said, if we go commercial in that area there, it’s not good.
You get hijacked, you get hit by a guided missile. Your purpose was just to visit is Netanyahu and pray to God. That’s why,” he added.
The President previously took chartered airplanes to trips abroad but decided to take commercial to save on government funds.
Early in the day, Presidential Spokesman Harry Roque said the President has accepted the invitation of Israel Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to visit Israel from September 2 to 5. From Israel, the President will then travel to Jordan next month.