Asean leaders unite vs extremism

Delegates from the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) memberstates converged yesterday at the Philippine International Convention Center in Pasay City to discuss the threats and prevention of violent extremism in the region.

The two-day conference on Peace and the Prevention of Violent Extremism in Southeast Asia aims to develop policies and standards for action plans at national and regional levels, strengthen different sectors to prevent the spread of extremism, engage local communities as partners for rehabilitation and reintegration initiatives as well as address social dynamics and drivers of radicalization of violence.

The conference was orWhether ganized by the ASEAN Society of the Philippines, Philippine Center for Islam and Democracy, S. Rajaratnam School of International Studies and the Office of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process.

In his welcome remarks, presidential adviser on the peace process Jesus Dureza undercored the importance of unity to prevent extremism and that ASEAN leaders should be made aware of this growing threat.

Former president Fidel Ramos, chairman emeritus of the ASEAN Society of the Philippines, was the keynote speaker.

Ramos urged the ASEAN memberstates to address the root cause of extremism.

“We should address poverty. insurgency, criminality, drug abuse and nuclear bullying, it always starts with poverty,” he said.

Ramos also called for global partnerships and a borderless community of nations to address social injustice that causes extremism.

Around 300 participants from different sectors, including political leaders, government officials, security analysts, peace advocates, members of academe, religious leaders, media, women and youth attended the conference with at least 10 resource persons and speakers from the ASEAN member-states.

Ambassador Ong Keng Yong, executive deputy chairman of the S. Rajaratnam School of International Studies, said violent extremism is a significant threat to the ASEAN region’s security.

Philippine Center for Islam and Democracy president Amina Rasul-Bernardo said a growing number of conflict-affected communities around the ASEAN region have become radicalized with “poverty, religious fanaticism and social media” combining to create an environment that allows violent extremism.

Bernardo said that prior to the Marawi siege by the Maute terrorist group, the decades old armed conflict in Mindanao has been plaguing the country.

The ASEAN leaders cited the need to engage local communities as critical partners in the rehabilitation and reintegration initiatives as well as peace-building efforts.

The conference also seeks to promote dialogue among various stakeholders to enable the exchange of best practices, especially among organizations that focus on countering violent extremism.