Duterte discusses need to address terrorism, drug trade with Malaysia’s Mahathir 

MANILA, Philippines — President Rodrigo Duterte stressed the need to address terrorism and illegal drug trade during his meeting with Malaysian Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad Monday afternoon. 

Malacañang said the two leaders “renewed and reaffirmed the long-standing brotherhood and friendship between the Philippines and Malaysia” during their one-hour meeting past noon at the Prime Minister’s Office in Putrajaya. The meeting came two months after Mahathir made a political comeback through a shocking electoral victory.

“President Duterte pointed the need to address terrorism and violent extremism in the region as well as transnational crime such as piracy and armed robbery at sea and the illegal drug trade,” Palace said. 

The Philippine leader also thanked Malaysia for its sustained support for the peace process in Mindanao. Malaysia is the third party facilitator of the peace process between the government and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front. 

“President Duterte expressed appreciation for Malaysia’s sustained support for the quest for just and lasting peace and development in Mindanao,” Palace said.

Duterte also thanked Mahathir for inviting him to visit Malaysia to talk about matters of mutual interest.

Stronger ties in, Sabah out during talks

Duterte and Mahathir reaffirmed the need to strengthen their friendship and security cooperation as the region grapples with the threat posed by the Islamic State.

The Palace also said that both leaders stressed the importance of working closely together bilaterally and regionally to achieve “shared aspirations of greater peace, progress and prosperity for the Philippines and Malaysia, and greater stability and security in the region.”

It made no mention of the Sabah dispute in the statement it issued after the bilateral meeting between Duterte and Mahathir. But a day before the talk, presidential spokesperson Harry Roque said that Duterte may not bring up the issue. 

Both countries are involved in the ongoing dispute over the ownership of Sabah—Malaysian state located on the northern portion of Borneo Island. 

"President Duterte and Prime Minister Mohamad renewed and reaffirmed the long-standing brotherhood and friendship between the Philippines and Malaysia," Malacañang said in a statement. 

Malacañang said Duterte had renewed his commitment to "further strengthen defense and security cooperation at the bilateral and regional level.

Last Sunday, Duterte and Mahathir watched the fight between Filipino Sen. Manny Pacquiao and Argentine boxer Lucas Matthysee together. Mahathir joked that he and Duterte are engaged in a "boxing diplomacy."

Cabinet officials who were present during the meeting were Foreign Affairs Secretary Alan Cayetano, National Security Adviser Hermogenes Esperon and Duterte's longtime aide Christopher Go. — with Alexis Romero