Pormal nang binuksan ni Pangulong Rodrigo Duterte ang 31st Association of Southeast Asian Nations o ASEAN Summit ngayong araw na ginanap sa CCP Complex sa Pasay City.
Sa kanyang talumpati, inilatag ng Pangulo bilang kasalukuyang chairman ng ASEAN ang agenda ng mga gagawing pagpupulong kabilang na ang problema sa iligal na droga, terorismo at iba pang isyung pang-seguridad.
Nagsimula ang Pangulo sa pamamagitan ng pasasalamat sa lahat ng mga nagbigay ng tulong sa panahon ng Marawi siege na tumagal ng halos 5 buwan.
“Resolute, we are now in the process of helping people back on their feet to reclaim their lives. We thank our international partners for providing assistance in dealing with the situation in Marawi City.
Our ASEAN brothers provided support by sending relief items for the benefit of the internally displaced persons while others provided valuable assistance and bolstered our military campaign.”
“I apologize for setting the tone of my statement in such a manner.”
“But I only want to emphasize that our meetings for the next two days present an excellent opportunity for us to engage in meaningful discussion on matters of regional and international importance.” Bahagi ng pahayag ng Pangulong Duterte
Sinabi ng Pangulo na ang terorismo at extremism ay isang malaking problema na kinakaharap ng mundo sa ngayon kabilang na ang Asya, na dapat bigyang-pansin.
Ito aniya ay malaking banta sa pagpapanatili ng kapayapaan at seguridad sa rehiyon.
“These and other issues are high on the agenda of our meetings, along with the other non-traditional security issues that challenge the prosperity of our economies, the integrity of our institutions, and more importantly the safety of our people.” Dagdag ni Duterte
Maliban sa isyung pang-seguridad, sinabi ng Pangulo na lalagdaan ng ASEAN leaders ang isang dokumento na magbibigay proteksyon sa karapatan ng mga migrant worker.
“I am pleased to announce that ASEAN member states have come to an agreement on the ASEAN consensus on the protection and promotion of rights of migrant workers.”
“I will be joining other ASEAN leaders tomorrow in signing this landmark document that would strengthen social protection, access to justice, humane and fair treatment, and access to health services for our people.”
Magtatapos sa Nobyembre 15, 2017 ang year-long ASEAN chairmanship ng Pilipinas kasabay na rin ng ika-50 anibersaryo ng pagkakatatag sa ASEAN.
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