PH, India vow greater cooperation vs. terrorism

FILE: President Rodrigo Roa Duterte declares his joint press statement with President of the Republic of India Ram Nath Kovind following their successful expanded bilateral meeting at the Malacañan Palace on October 18, 2019. President Kovind is on a five-day state visit to the Philippines. SIMEON CELI JR./PRESIDENTIAL PHOTO

MANILA — President Rodrigo Duterte and Indian President Ram Nath Kovind on Friday sought greater cooperation in the fight against terrorism, violent extremism, and other threats besetting their countries.

“We agreed also to continue working together to fight terrorism and violent extremism and other trans-boundary threats,” Duterte said in a joint press statement after his bilateral meeting with Kovind at Malacañan Palace.

This developed as the Philippines appreciated India’s efforts to help “without precondition, delay or hesitation” in the rebuilding of Marawi City, which was devastated by the five-month war between Islamic State-linked Maute group and state forces in 2017.

The Philippines and India are among the countries in Asia that have been facing the challenge of terrorism over the past few years.

Kovind emphasized the need to stop “in all forms and manifestations” the lawless acts of terror groups in the two nations.

“Both of our countries have been victims of terrorism. As you know, India has been the target of cross-border terrorism for decades. (We) committed to work closely to defeat and eliminate terrorism in all its forms and manifestations,” he said.

The Indian leader was confident that curbing terror acts is attainable because Manila and New Delhi have “strong” cooperation in defense and security.

The bilateral meeting also led to an agreement for the two countries to boost their maritime security relations, Duterte said.

“As countries strategically located in the Pacific and Indian Oceans, we affirmed our shared interest to protect our maritime commons and advance the rule of law in our maritime domains,” the President said.