No Travel Ban For Foreign Secretary Teodoro Locsin Says Palace
PALACE – Malacañang Palace spokesperson Salvador Panelo said the travel ban does not cover Foreign Secretary Teodoro Locsin Jr.
Last week, Senator Ronaldo “Bato” Dela Rosa confirmed that his United States visa was canceled. He said Washington revoked his visa due to his alleged involvement in the extrajudicial killings (EJK).
Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte reacted after learning about Dela Rosa’s issue. He threatened to terminate the country’s Visiting Forces Agreement (VFA) with the US.
The president gave the US 1 month to reverse Bato Dela Rosa’s visa cancellation. Malacañang Palace spokesperson Salvador Panelo said the US should not intervene with the Philippine issue.
Based on a report from Inquirer, Panelo said the presidents’ directive to Cabinet official against travel to the US does not cover Foreign Secretary Teodoro Locsin Jr. so that he could continue his diplomatic relations. Locsin left for the US over the weekend.
According to the report, the Palace official also noted that Davao City Mayor and Presidential daughter Sara Duterte’s recent visit to the US was a study tour. Her trip was in fact sponsored by the US state department.
“Maybe the members of the [Duterte] family will do likewise in deference to the fathers,” said Panelo.
The spokesperson added that Duterte’s travel ban on the Cabinet officials covers even their family trips.
Based on the report, Foreign Assistant Secretary Eduardo Meñez confirmed the Palace official’s statement on Teodoro Locsin’s trip. He said, “I believe it has been clarified that SFA [Secretary of Foreign Affairs] is exempted from the ban.”
Justice Secretary Menardo Guevarra said Duterte’s directive against the trip in the US is only for the Cabinet secretaries. Their subordinate officials are still allowed to join “important official” meetings in the US.
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