Duterte, at ASEAN opening, highlights security and drug problems

MANILA, Philippines — President Rodrigo Duterte spotlighted issues on terrorism and security at a regional summit in Manila on Monday, just weeks after Filipino troops liberated a southern city from militants inspired by the Islamic State group.

Duterte formally opened the 31st Association of Southeast Asian Nations Summit and its related meetings, which will be attended by the leaders of the bloc's 10 member-states and its dialogue partners.

The battle in Marawi City in Lanao del Sur claimed more than 1,000 lives of both combatants and civilians, displaced more than 300,000 of its residents and of neighboring areas and decimated the once-bustling center of the lakeside provincial capital.

In his welcome remarks at the opening of the two-day gathering at the ornate Cultural Center of the Philippines, Duterte emphasized that the meetings were an "excellent opportunity" to talk about a host of regional issues that continue to nag the region.

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Foremost among these would be issues related to security and terrorism especially after the siege of Marawi City, where extremist militants tried to establish a regional caliphate of the Islamic State group.

This development has ratcheted up jitters in the region and beyond as it exposed Southeast Asia's susceptibility to such security headaches with its porous land and water boundaries.

"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," Duterte said.

The Philippine leader stressed the need for cooperation in the face of threats of terrorism and extremism, which he said endangered "the peace, stability and security" of the region.

The tough-talking Duterte delivered the remarks in front of the 10 ASEAN leaders, US President Donald Trump, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, Chinese Premier Li Kequiang, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Australian Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull, New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern, United Nations Secretary General Antonio Guteres among others.

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Aside from terrorism, Duterte also highlighted the problem of piracy and armed robberies in the seas, which he said dented growth and disrupted the stability of regional and global commerce.

Duterte did not let miss the opportunity provided by the regional meeting slip to highlight the problem on illegal drugs, which he noted continued to imperil the "the very fabric of society."

Duterte has been roundly criticized by both local and international groups for supposed human rights violations committed in the name of his so-called war on drugs. Rights groups say that since its inception in July last year between 7,000 to 12,000 drug suspects have been killed, a figure that government agencies deny.

"These and other issues are high on the agenda of our meetings along with other non-security issues that challenge the prosperity of our economies, the integrity of our institutions and more importantly the safety of our people," Duterte said.

Duterte also announced that Southeast Asian leaders had already agreed to sign a pact that would protect the rights of migrant workers in the region.

The agreement, dubbed by the Philippine host as a "landmark document," will be signed tomorrow and will bolster workers' social protection, access to justice, humane and fair treatment and access to health services.

Aside from this, other issues that will be tackled during the two-day summit and series of meetings are those involving health, youth, terror, poverty alleviation, food security, coastal and marine protection and others.

"It has been a pleasure to work with the ASEAN economy and dialog partners in moving the ASEAN community forward in enhancing cooperation in various areas towards the realization of the ASEAN vision for 2025," Duterte said.

"It is my honor and pleasure to declare the 31st ASEAN Summit and its related summits open," he added.