Dureza: Asean should address violent extremism

Violent extremism is an emerging problem that the Philippines and other members of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) must address, Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process Jesus Dureza said yesterday.

In his speech at a symposium dubbed Strengthening Convergence for Humanitarian Action in the ASEAN, Dureza acknowledged that violent extremism is an emerging problem in South- east Asia.

He said the crisis in Marawi is an “eye-opener” on a “new game that has no rules that go for humanitarian law, human rights or respect for noncombatants.”

“The recent experience in Marawi is a very big learning experience for us. While you have seen the tragedy of man’s inhumanity to man, I think we should draw lessons from this in order that we can… improve on how we can jointly handle similar situations that will eventually become bigger and more threatening if we in the ASEAN still continue to consider it less important,” Dureza said.

The two-day regional dialogue, which started yesterday, aims to explore convergence among the fundamentals of the International Humanitarian Law, religious norms and customary practices, and come up with recommendations highlighting best practices in addressing humanitarian issues.

Around 170 delegates composed of representatives of ASEAN states, the International Committee of the Red Cross, ASEAN Institute for Peace and Reconciliation, national government agencies, international organizations, civil society groups and the Office of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process are participating in the event.