By el Amigo
MANILA — President Donald Trump of the United States is expected to join Southeast Asian leaders in the Philippines for the ASEAN Summit in November, Malacañang said Wednesday.
Palace Press Officer Claire Castro confirmed Trump’s planned attendance but withheld details about his arrival and scheduled activities.
“It is confirmed, pero yung details, siguro hindi po sa akin manggagaling,” Castro told reporters during a Palace press briefing.
Castro likewise declined to say whether Trump’s trip would be linked to the proposed signing of the Pax Silica framework, leaving the matter unanswered.
The 49th ASEAN Summit and Related Summits will be held from November 16 to 18 at the Philippine International Convention Center in Pasay City.
The meetings are expected to bring together leaders of ASEAN’s member countries and representatives of partner nations for discussions on regional cooperation and other shared concerns.
President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. earlier designated the three-day summit period as special non-working days.
Trump last visited the Philippines in 2017, during his previous term as US president, when Manila hosted the regional bloc’s annual summit.
Malacañang has yet to release additional information on the US leader’s itinerary or the specific engagements planned during his stay.
His confirmed attendance places the Philippines at the center of the upcoming regional diplomatic gathering, although the details of his participation remain undisclosed.
