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[av_heading heading=’No Du30 in sight as UN offers ASEAN aid vs terrorism, crimes ‘ tag=’h3′ style=’blockquote modern-quote’ size=” subheading_active=’subheading_below’ subheading_size=’15’ padding=’10’ color=” custom_font=” av-medium-font-size-title=” av-small-font-size-title=” av-mini-font-size-title=” av-medium-font-size=” av-small-font-size=” av-mini-font-size=” admin_preview_bg=”]
BY PRINCE GOLEZ and NORMAN D. CORDON,
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Special Correspondent for 2017 ASEAN Summit
MANILA – Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte skipped the United Nations – Association of Southeast Asian Nations (UN-ASEAN) Summit on Monday night where the UN offered the regional organization assistance against terrorism and transnational crimes.
Philippine Foreign Affairs secretary Alan Peter Cayetano represented Duterte, according to Presidential Spokesman Harry Roque.
“As we all know from yesterday’s activities, President Duterte had a full schedule last night, which included bilateral meetings with Japan, Republic of Korea, India, and Russia,” Roque said.
Secretary-General Antonio Guterres conveyed the UN’s readiness to provide ASEAN help in the fight against terrorism and other transnational crimes, including illegal drugs and human trafficking.
But countering these problems should be done “through policies [that are] able to protect citizens with effective law enforcement and respect for human rights,” Guterres emphasized in his opening statement.
Presidential Communications Operations Office assistant secretary Kris Ablan, in a separate interview, said Duterte attended “all important meetings” until 12 midnight.
Some meetings were moved due to conflicts in the schedules, Ablan added.
Duterte decided to let Cayetano attend the UN-ASEAN Summit “to avoid further delay,” said Roque. “The President’s meetings went beyond schedule.”
Duterte has been critical of the UN for condemning the death of thousands of suspected drug dealers and users in the Philippine government’s crackdown on illegal drugs.
Aside from offering aid, Guterres also welcomed the adoption of the Manila Declaration to Counter the Rise of Radicalization and Violent Extremism.
“I am heartened by the recent liberation of Marawi from ISIS,” Guterres said, using another acronym for the Islamic State, whose allied extremists the Philippine forces fought during a five-month war in the Mindanao city.
Moreover, Guterres mentioned the trilateral cooperation meeting on terrorism and transnational crimes between the Philippines, Indonesia and Malaysia, which he said will “strengthen regional peace and security.”/PN
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