IN PHOTOS: The ASEAN Leaders' Summit

MANILA, Philippines – Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte welcomed his fellow leaders from the region attending the 30th Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Summit as they gathered in Manila.

Together with his partner Honeylet Avanceña, Duterte welcomed the 9 regional leaders: Brunei Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah, Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen, Indonesian President Joko Widodo, Lao Prime Minister Thongloun Sisoulith, Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak, Myanmar State Counsellor Aung San Suu Kyi, Singaporean Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong, Thai Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha, and Vietnamese Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc.

President Duterte welcomes Myanmar's State Counsellor and Foreign Minister Aung San Suu Kyi. Malacanang photo

During the summit, the regional leaders discussed the implementation of the ASEAN Community Vision 2025. Regional and international issues were also discussed. They also signed the ASEAN declaration on the roles of the civil service.

The President presided over the opening ceremony of the summit at the Philippine International Convention Center followed by the Leaders’ Retreat at the Coconut Palace.

Outside, militant activists try to stage a rally at the summit venue but hundreds of anti-riot policemen blocked them along their way.

PROTEST. Activists air their sentiments against the ASEAN in a rally outside the summit venue. Photo by Rob Reyes/Rappler

OUTNUMBERED. Anti-riot policemen seal the streets leading to the summit venue where the protesters want to hold their program. Photo by Angie De Silva/Rappler