Duterte highlights security threats at the opening of ASEAN

President Rodrigo Duterte has made the subject of security threats the focus of discussions at the opening of Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) summit and related meetings.

“Your Majesty, Your Excellencies, ladies and gentlemen, 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,” the President said.

Duterte said that “peace, stability and security” of the regions are risked because terrorism and violent extremism know no boundaries, adding that piracy and armed robbery in the seas put a dent in growth and disrupt the stability of global and regional commerce.

Duterte also cited the menace of illegal drug trade which continues to endanger the very fabric of the societies.

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

DAILY NEWS ROUND UP FOR 11/ 13 /17