PH Ambassador to Indonesia Reaches Out to Filipinos Detainees in Bitung, Filipino and Indonesian Bizmen

Philippine Ambassador to Indonesia Lee Hiong Tan Wee (center) arrived to a simple yet colorful welcome at the Sam Ratulangi International Airport VIP lounge. (Manado PCG photo)

MANADO 09 July 2018 – Philippine Ambassador to Indonesia Lee Hiong Tan Wee paid a visit to the Philippine Consulate General in Manado on 13 to 15 June 2018, and successfully led activities which fostered cooperation between the Philippines and Indonesia and upheld the pillars of Philippine Foreign Policy in this jurisdiction.

On top of the Ambassador’s agenda is a visit to Filipinos detained in Bitung City. The Ambassador conversed with Indonesian immigration and correctional officials, and urged them to continue giving fair treatment to Filipinos under their care.

Leading the Consulate General’s Assistance to Nationals (ATN) team, Ambassador Wee listened to the concerns of the Filipinos, and assured them of the continuing effort of the Philippine Government to secure their release. The Ambassador also handed out basic necessities to them.

After the meeting with Filipinos in detention, Ambassador Wee was joined by local government officials in a wreath-laying ceremony at the Rizal Monument in Bitung City. This tribute to the Philippine national hero was given less than a week before the celebration of his birth anniversary.

Ambassador Wee then led the delegation to a meeting with Indonesian and Filipino businessmen at the residence of the City Mayor, where they were warmly received by Bitung Mayor Maximilian Lomban.

There was open and frank discussion about promoting the Davao-General Santos-Bitung RORO service that was launched by President Rodrigo Duterte and Indonesian President Joko Widodo in April 2017, developing trade opportunities between the Philippines and Indonesia, and re-establishing direct flights between the cities of Davao and Manado. The meeting culminated with a lunch hosted by Mayor Lomban.

Ambassador Wee capped off a productive day with a visit to the facilities of Filipino-owned canning factories in Bitung City, where he met with the Filipino proprietors of PT RD Pacific International, PT Sinar Pure Foods International, and PT International Alliance Food. END

Ambassador Lee Hiong Tan Wee (center) is warmly welcomed by personnel of the Consulate General in Manado led by Consul General Oscar G. Orcine (in blue barong). (Manado PCG photo)

Ambassador Wee was joined by Consul General Orcine and Indonesian officials of the Bureau of Correction (LAPAS) in listening to the concerns of Filipinos in detention. (Manado PCG photo)

Filipino and Indonesian businessmen shared their ideas to help promote Philippine-Indonesia trade in a meeting with Ambassador Wee held at the residence of the Mayor of Bitung City. (Manado PCG photo)

For more information, visit www.manadopcg.dfa.gov.ph.