MANILA, Philippines (The Adobo Chronicles) –  Russian President Vladimir Putin and Indonesian President Joko Widodo will not attend the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Economic Leaders’ meeting in Manila next week.

According to the Russian news agency RBC, Putin suddenly refused to participate in the APEC summit in the Philippines but will send Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev instead.

Meanwhile, during the press briefing at the International Media Center on Thursday afternoon, Foreign Affairs Undersecretary Laura del Rosario confirmed Widodo’s absence from APEC.

“I just got a verbal message that there are things in Jakarta that need the attention of Pres. Widodo,” Del Rosario said, citing domestic concerns as reason for Widodo’s sudden non-attendance.

Widodo will be represented by Indonesian Trade Minister Thomas Lembong.

Although the Russian and Indonesian govenments did not give specific reasons for their heads of state’s decision to skip the Manila summit, many are speculating that Putin and Widodo are scared of being victimized by the laglag bala extortion scheme at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport.

President Aquino expressed frustration especially over Putin’s decision since the Manila government even set aside an exclusive lane for the Russian leader along EDSA (Metro Manila’s main thoroughfare) so that he does not encounter any traffic to and from the meeting site.