MANILA, Philippines - The scourge of illegal drugs, a need for mutual respect for independence, non-interference in domestic affairs and sovereignty were the major concerns raised by President Duterte during the opening ceremonies of the 30th ASEAN summit yesterday in Manila.
As chairman of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), Duterte also brought to the 10-nation bloc his campaign against illegal drugs by calling on leaders to ensure that the region is drug-free.
“We must also be resolute in realizing a drug-free ASEAN. The scourge of illegal drugs threatens our gains in community building. I have seen how illegal drugs have ended the hopes, dreams, future and even the lives of countless people, especially the youth,” Duterte said.
Duterte brought to a higher stage his verbal attacks against western powers, including the United States and the European Union, which he said had meddled in his drug war.
Taking note of the values laid by the founding members of the ASEAN 50 years ago, Duterte said the foundation of an organization anchored on the importance of unity, solidarity and cooperation.
“The cornerstones form part of time-honored principles of international law: Mutual respect for the independence, sovereignty, equality, territorial integrity and national identity of all nations and non-interference in the internal affairs of one another,” he said.
Duterte also sought for a more dynamic relationship between member countries.
“As visionaries, our founding fathers underscored the value of cultivating and nurturing a special bond of friendship despite our diversities as nations and peoples,” he said.
The President said the leaders of the 10-member group are drawn to reaffirm the need to aspire for an ASEAN that works to effect positive change in the lives of its peoples.
Mutual respect
Duterte reiterated the need for every country to practice mutual respect towards each other when he recognized the good relations with dialogue partners such as Canada, European Union, the US and India.
“These are relations that are valued. But they can be much more valuable and stronger if we learn to respect each other’s independence and treat each other as sovereign equals,” he said.
The Obama administration and EU leaders have criticized Duterte’s brutal campaign against illegal drugs that led to the deaths of thousands of people.
The strong criticisms angered Duterte, who had many times called former US president Barack Obama a “son of b***h” while he described as “fools” the EU parliament for meddling in his drug campaign.
Without directing his statements against the EU and the US, Duterte stressed anew the need to peacefully settle disputes and promote people’s welfare.
“Our engagement with Dialogue Partners allowed us to set the table for meaningful discussions on maintaining peace and stability, the pursuit of development goals, the peaceful resolution of disputes and the promotion of our peoples’ welfare,” he said.
“Let me say again, relations bear fruit when they are based on mutual respect and benefit. Dialogue relations can be made more productive and constructive if the valued principle of non-interference in the internal affairs of ASEAN member states is observed,”
Duterte delivered his opening statement after he and his partner, Honeylet Avaceña, welcomed Brunei Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah, Cambodia Prime Minister Hun Sen, Indonesian President Joko Widodo, Lao PDR Prime Minister Thongloun Sisoulithl Malaysian Prime Minister Dato Sri Mohd Najib Razak, Myanmar State Counsellor Aung San Suu Kyi, Singapore Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong, Thailand Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha and Vietnam Prime Minister Nguyen Phuc.
Drug-free Asean
In a bid to parry the international impact of his attacks against the US and the EU over his bloody drug war, Duterte rallied ASEAN leaders to work together in addressing the drug problem that, he said, crosses borders and affects the aspirations of the younger generation.
“The illegal drug trade apparatus is massive. But it is not impregnable. With political will and cooperation, it can be dismantled, it can be destroyed before it destroys our societies,” Duterte said.
“Equally important, we must not waver in our efforts to eliminate security threats to regional growth and development,” he said.
Duterte was hailed to the International Criminal Court last week for the countless killings related to his drug war.
Although there was no direct mention about the issue of South China Sea, Duterte batted for the need to address piracy, which disrupts the stability of regional and global commerce.
He also called for the need for “eternal vigilance” as a way to also counter terrorism and violent extremism.
“Eternal vigilance is the price that we must pay to keep our citizens safe. We can only achieve this through advancing cooperation at the bilateral, regional and multilateral levels,” Duterte said.
Poverty, climate change
Duterte also addressed the issues of poverty and unemployment, climate change and natural disasters.
“We also need to nurture sub-regional cooperation in order to bring progress to those who deserve it the most – those who have the very least in our societies,” Duterte said.
“These are but a few ways to narrow the development gap and to ensure that a person – the ASEAN Citizen – does not fall into the quagmire of poverty,” he added.
Duterte also pushed for the need to work for the integration of the region into the global economy.
“We must continue to work with our economic partners if we are to succeed in integrating our region into the global economy. To be sure, there are rules to be played in international economic relations,” he said.
On the issue of climate change, Duterte raised how the region is vulnerable to natural disasters. He mentioned Super Typhoon Yolanda (Haiyan) that struck Central Visayas in 2013, leaving over 6,000 people dead and missing in its wake.