Rody to Asean leaders: Promote peace amid sea row
President Duterte has urged leaders of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations ( ASEAN) to work together for peace and stability in the region amid the conflict over the South China Sea and West Philippine Sea as well as rising terrorism.
“I engaged the leaders of ASEAN and its dialogue partners on important regional and international issues that impact on the peace, security, stability and prosperity of our region,” he said in a speech at the Davao International Airport yesterday shortly after arriving from a working visit to Indonesia.
Before Indonesia, Duterte attended the ASEAN summit in Laos.
“I stressed our commitment to a peaceful settlement of disputes in accordance with international law, including UNCLOS,” he said, referring to the maritime dispute involving the Philippines, China and other Southeast Asian countries. UNCLOS stands for the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Seas.
“And I called on leaders to support the individual and collective effort to bring security and stability in the South China Sea through a rulesbased approach for resolving maritime disputes. There is serious concern in the region over terrorism and violent extremism,” he added.
At the same time, Duterte also thanked the international community for its expressions of sympathy and solidarity over the deadly bomb attack in Davao City last Sept. 2.
He also urged leaders to redouble cooperative efforts in combatting terror.
On the illicit drug trade, Duterte said he underscored the Philippines’ “grave concern over social illness that breeds corruption at the highest levels, tears apart the fabric of our society and the basis of human dignity.”
“I said our campaign against illegal drugs will be relentless, and it will be comprehensive, encompassing suppression, prosecution and rehabilita- tion,” he said.
Despite concerns raised by the United Nations and the United States over possible human rights violations, Duterte assured the ASEAN leaders that the government’s campaign against illegal drugs and criminality would remain within bounds of the law.
“All these measures are within the bounds of our laws. I called on greater cooperation in the region, particularly in the capacity building and law enforcement efforts,” he added.
He also cited the Philippines’ chairmanship of the ASEAN next year.
“Our chairmanship in 2017 coincides with the commemoration of ASEAN’s 50 years of establishment. It will be an important leadership role for the Philippines, and a vital opportunity to contribute to the building of a strong and resilient community,” he said.
“We announced the theme under our chairmanship, ‘Partnering for Change, Engaging the World.’ With your help,
mga kababayan ko, and the support of the ASEAN memberstates and dialogue partners, we hope to bring the change we want and need to our engagement with the world,” he added.
On his participation in the ASEAN Business and Investment Summit, Duterte said, “My message was clear. The Philippines is open for business.”
“My administration will do its part in providing an enabling environment for businesses to thrive and prosper, including micro, small and medium enterprises,” he said.
On the sidelines of the ASEAN meetings, Duterte reported having separate meetings with the leaders of Japan, Laos, New Zealand, Russia, Singapore and Vietnam.
“We identified ways to move relations forward, and I thanked them for hosting the Filipino workers in their country,” he said
He also thanked Widodo for warmly welcoming him during his working visit.
“I am truly humbled. President Widodo and I resolved to work closer together, achieve shared aspirations for greater peace, progress and prosperity for our people,” he said.
Their discussion focused on fighting piracy and lawless elements at sea, fostering greater economic cooperation and integration and on enforcing laws against transnational crimes.
He also praised the OFWs for their contribution to the country’s socio-economic development.
“We should be proud of the Philippines, to be a Filipino and remain respectful of the local laws and customs. My administration will work very hard to make sure that economic opportunities will also be available at home,” he recalled telling the Filipino communities in Laos and Indonesia.
“Our objective is to make working abroad an option and not a need. Let us work together to achieve this goal,” he said.
Earlier in Jakarta, President Duterte said he was preparing for a much bigger international gathering of world leaders than the recent ASEAN Leaders Summit in Laos.
“This is not, this is just regional ( the ASEAN), you wait for the international,” the President said.
He did not say which international gathering he was referring to, but what he had in mind could be the upcoming Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit set in Peru in November.
“If it’s a birthday, it is just 16, not the 18th,” the President said, comparing the recent ASEAN summit to what he claimed was a bigger international gathering.
Foreign Affairs Secretary Perfecto Yasay Jr., for his part, said the President had a “brilliant” performance at the recent ASEAN summit.
Yasay said the President was able to articulate his thoughts before world leaders, particularly on his campaign against illegal drugs and terrorism.