Duterte to meet Najib and Jokowi over anti-terrorism deal

DAVAO CITY: Philippine president Rodrigo Duterte will meet with leaders from Malaysia and Indonesia to formalise details of an anti-terrorism deal, Philippine News Agency reported.

Duterte said he, Indonesian President Joko Widodo and Malaysian Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak agreed to meet in an area near the Philippines, like Sabah or Jakarta.

“We have agreed that we will talk, the three of us. So naghintay lang kami ng timing (We are just waiting for the right time),” he said in an interview with reporters on the sidelines of the birthday celebration of Davao City Rep Karlo Nograles.

In all probability, Duterte said the deal could be a joint undertaking like a task force to run after IS members.

“I will open my borders to the Malaysian and Indonesian authorities, and they'll be given access,” he was quoted as saying.

The president said the meeting was already being worked out and it only needed to be formalised.

“We have to meet face-to-face and agree on an agenda for the talks.

“I can only be there for about a day or two. At this time, I cannot. I do not have the luxury of time because I have a serious problem here,” he added.

Duterte said he had to visit Marawi more often until the crisis was over. — Bernama