Duterte seeks 'intensified cooperation' to fight terrorism, other threats

PRESIDENT Rodrigo Duterte called on his fellow Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean) leaders on Tuesday, November 13, to bolster security cooperation against terrorism, violent extremism, radicalization, piracy and armed robbery at sea, trafficking in persons, and illegal drugs.

In his intervention during his working dinner with nine other Asean leaders in Singapore, Duterte raised worry that "many threats" hounding the regional bloc would have grave repercussions.

He said an intensified cooperation would make Asean a "more peaceful, stable and secure region."

"Asean still faces many threats, including non-traditional security challenges that divide our communities, destroy families, and hold back economic growth. These challenges include terrorism, violent extremism, radicalization, piracy and armed robbery at sea, and trafficking of persons and illicit drugs," Duterte said.

"We need to intensify cooperation and implement previously agreed-upon action plans if we are to address these issues and realize a more peaceful, stable and secure region," he added.

Duterte said Asean member-states must remain "undeterred and focused" as they aim to fulfill their crucial task of sustaining innovative and inclusive growth.

He was optimistic that Asean would be able to overcome challenges that hinder sustainable social and human development in the region through the Declaration on the Culture of Prevention adopted by regional bloc leaders last year.

"For its part, the Philippines is accelerating infrastructure development to support our growing economy and address the demands of our increasing population and the challenges of rapid urbanization," he said.

"Certainly, we have to invest in our people. The Philippines therefore supports the adoption and notation in this Summit of significant documents on migrant workers, persons with disabilities, green jobs for inclusive growth, climate change and biodiversity, among others," he added.

The President said developing ways to leverage technology would also help improve "the quality of life for our peoples."

He then urged the Asean to also invest in micro, small, and medium enterprises, which he tagged as the "backbone of our economies," by enabling them to participate in the global value chain and production networks.

"As we strive to build a resilient and innovative Asean Community, we must never forget that Asean should continue to be a sharing and caring region," Duterte said. (SunStar Philippines)

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