Duterte's flight took off the Villamor Airbase in Pasay City at 4:52 p.m., according to former special assistant to the president and now Senator-elect Christopher Go. The President is expected to arrive in Tokyo at 9 p.m. It would be his third visit to Japan on an official trip since assuming office in 2016.
Duterte is also set to hold bilateral talks with Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe on Friday and are expected to discuss the South China Sea dispute, the Department of Foreign Affairs earlier said. "The Philippines for its part has always affirmed its commitment to uphold the principles of freedom of navigation and overflight, freedom of commerce and other local activities, exercise of self-restraint and the peaceful resolution of disputes," Montealegre told reporters in Malacañang.
IN PHOTOS: President Duterte departs for Tokyo, Japan on Tuesday afternoon (📷: Malacañang) | via arianne_merez