President Rodrigo Duterte accepted an invitation from Prime Minister Shinzo Abe to visit Japan during their bilateral meeting at the sidelines of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations in Vientiane , a statement from the Department of Foreign Affairs said Tuesday.

Foreign affairs department spokesman Charles Jose said both sides would coordinate as to when the trip will be and if it would be a state visit. "Those are things that both sides still need to discuss and agree on," he said.

The two leaders agreed on the necessity of continuing law enforcement cooperation and projects which will strengthen maritime capabilities of the Philippines , the foreign affairs department said.

Abe expressed his sympathies to the victims of the deadly bombing in Davao City during his meeting Duterte.

Abe said Japan firmly deplores the terror incident on Friday in Duterte's home city where 14 people were killed and about 70 were wounded.

"I would like to take this opportunity to express my heartfelt condolences for the victims and their family members. And also, I would like to reiterate my feelings and sympathy for you," Abe said during their first bilateral meeting.

Duterte thanked Abe for sympathizing with the Filipino people.

"I would like to thank the Japanese government for their efforts to commiserate with us in the bombing incident in Davao City ," Duterte said.

Abe said Duterte is "quite a famous figure in Japan ," adding that he was very excited to see the Philippine president in person.

Duterte expressed gratitude to Japan for its assistance to Davao and the Philippines .

"For so many years, JICA (Japan International Cooperation Agency) has been there. Japan has been kind enough to extend us all the assistance for further development in our country and as a matter of fact, our trade shows that we export more to Japan than before," Duterte said.

He also assured Abe the Philippines stand by Japan on security in the Korean Peninsula .

"I support your stand. And we hope that we can work together for a better and a greater, peaceful area," Duterte said.

Duterte promised that the Philippines will be a "good partner" to Japan , which he described as "one of our friendly neighbors."

Duterte also had a bilateral meeting with Singapore Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong. Celerina Monte/ DMS