The President of The Philippines, Rodrigo Duterte, arrived in Qatar yesterday evening.

An outspoken and unconventional leader, the 71-year-old is the oldest person to have become the nation’s president. He took to office with a landslide election win and boasts of a huge fan following among fellow Filipinos.

For the last several months "Tatay" or "Father" Digong has been waging a brutal war against drug users in the Philippines. He has been racking up the body count and scoring victories that have won him millions of admirers at home and abroad.

His visit to Qatar - and the Philippine government's proposal to share some islands with the royal families of the middle east - is intended to make the relationship between the two countries more cordial than ever before.

Negotiations are currently on regarding leasing of some of the Philippines’ 7,100 islands to Qatar-based Al Nitaq company, to turn them into agroforestry and agro-industrial zones, energy centres, and tourist destinations.

The Peninsula reported that the Philippine President will meet the Filipino community in Qatar later this evening.

“Filipinos are invited to attend the Filipino community meeting with the President to be held at the Lusail Sports Arena (Lusail Multipurpose Hall) on Saturday between 6.30pm to 8pm,” the newspaper reported citing an announcement signed by Philippine Ambassador Alan L Timbayan.

Many of his overseas compatriots are expected to attend the meeting. Prior registration is required for those who wish to attend the community meeting as the venue has the capacity of only 6,000.

“For security reasons and physical layout limitations, the venue will be able to accommodate 6,000 persons. Filipinos who would like to attend the gathering would be required to register their attendance a few days before the event,” said the embassy.

It is a foregone conclusion that his countrymen in Qatar will welcome him with open arms. After all, they had gifted him an overwhelming win when votes of Qatar-based Overseas Filipino Workers were counted last May. He received nearly 80% of total votes cast at the Philippine embassy in Doha — 12,475 out of a total of 15,694.

Welcome to Qatar, President. Your kabayan brothers and sisters are waiting with bated breaths!

PC: Rappler