Duterte, Mahathir renew bilateral ties

President Duterte on Monday vowed to boost defense and security ties with Malaysian Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad in Kuala Lumpur in the face of growing extremism and piracy in Southeast Asia. The Philippine leader and Malaysian premier “renewed and reaffirmed the long-standing brotherhood and friendship” between the two countries, Malacañang said.

President Duterte on Monday vowed to boost defense and security ties with Malaysia in the face of growing extremism and piracy in Southeast Asia.

Mr. Duterte and Malaysian Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad met at Putrajaya, a day after watching together Sen. Manny Pacquiao score a technical knockout against Argentine boxer Lucas Matthysse to win the WBA welterweight championship in Kuala Lumpur.

The Philippine leader and Malaysian premier “renewed and reaffirmed the long-standing brotherhood and friendship” between the two countries, Malacañang said in a statement.

“President Duterte likewise renewed the commitment to further strengthen defense and security cooperation at the bilateral and regional level,” it said.

Malacanañg said Mr. Duterte also underscored the need “to address terrorism and violent extremism in the region, as well as transnational crimes such as piracy, armed robbery at sea and the illegal drug trade.”

The President flew to Malaysia for a three-day working visit on Mahathir’s invitation.

Presidential spokesperson Harry Roque, who joined Mr. Duterte on the trip, said the agenda of the bilateral meeting included security cooperation in the face of extremist threat in the region.

Mr. Duterte also expressed gratitude to Mahathir for Malaysia’s sustained support for the Philippines’ quest for lasting peace and development in Mindanao that for decades had been beset by secessionism.

“Both leaders stressed the importance of working closely together bilaterally and at Asean (Association of Southeast Asian Nations) to achieve shared aspirations of greater peace, progress and prosperity for the Philippines and Malaysia, and greater stability and security in the region,” Malacañang said.

The President flew back to Manila after the meeting with Mahathir.

—MALACAÑANGPHOTO POSTFIGHT HUDDLE Manny Pacquiao (right) chats with President Duterte and Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad after scoring a TKO against Argentine Lucas Matthysse. With them are presidential special assistant Bong Go and other members of the Philippine...