Duterte brings up drugs at ASEAN business summit

MANILA, Philippines — The Association of Southeast Asian Nations needs stronger resolve and action in fighting transnational crime, President Rodrigo Duterte said on Wednesday.

The Philippine president noted that transnational crime is one of the most difficult and complex problem that the region faces.

"The trade in illicit and illegal drugs in particular has emerged as a pressing problem for our country’s undermined social cohesion and the rule of law in the socio-economic program of the country," Duterte said in his speech at the ASEAN Business and Investment Summit in Luang Prabang, Laos.

WATCH: Duterte arrives in Laos for ASEAN Summit

Duterte further noted that terrorism and violent extremism threaten to pull the region from its advance to progress.

The Philippine chief executive encouraged the ASEAN business community to unite and to make sure that economic gains will advance at full speed.

"We shall not be cowed. We will press on. We must re-double our efforts to concentrate on intelligence gathering, prevention, interdiction, arrest and prosecution," Duterte said.

Duterte added that the ASEAN must ensure the effective implementation of agreements concluded since its establishment in 1967.

The Philippine leader also urged the ASEAN to make further progress in fulfilling its commitments to its free trade agreements with Australia, New Zealand, China, Japan, India and Korea.

The ASEAN Leaders' Summit in Vientiane, Laos will be Duterte's first international appearance after assuming office. He is expected to meet with several of his counterparts at the sidelines of the summit.

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