Duterte back from “productive discussions” with fellow ASEAN leaders in Thailand

June 24, 2019

President Rodrigo Duterte arrived on Sunday night from "productive discussions" with his Southeast Asian counterparts in Thailand.

In a statement, Malacanang said Duterte raised concern delays in the negotiations for a "substantive and effective" Code of Conduct in the disputed South China Sea "is detrimental to the region."

Thus, the President urged the member countries of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations during the 34th ASEAN Summit in Thailand to "act quickly, " noting that "the faster we finish the process, the more credible ASEAN and China will be as partners for security and stability."

Some ASEAN countries, such as the Philippines, Brunei, Malaysia and Vietnam, have claims in the South China Sea. China, a dialogue partner of the ASEAN, has been claiming almost the entire body of water, including those within the 200 nautical miles exclusive economic zone of other countries, such as the Philippines.

The Philippines is Country Coordinator of the ASEAN-China Dialogue Relations.

The statement said the President expressed grave concern over activities in the South China Sea that erode trust and confidence and undermine peace, security, and stability in the region.

Duterte also called for the effective implementation of international instruments, such as the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) and the Declaration on the Code of Conduct in the South China Sea to create a conducive environment for negotiations and maintain peace and stability in the region.

The Philippines, in its arbitration case before the United Nations Arbitral Tribunal, has won on its petition, invalidating China's historic and soverign claim through nine-dash line in the South China Sea. But Beijing refused to honor the ruling, which was based on the 1982 UNCLOS.

Duterte also conveyed his gratitude to the captain and crew of the Vietnamese fishing vessel who saved Filipino fishermen near Recto Bank in the West Philippine Sea last week, the Palace statement said.

It said Duterte raised concern on the impact of the US-China trade war on global growth and economic integration.

"He urged both sides to resolve their differences and pressed ASEAN to strengthen its commitment to a rules-based multilateral trading system," the statement said.

To this end, Duterte reiterated the Philippines’ commitment to work constructively with all parties to conclude negotiations on the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership this year, adding that "trade should ultimately benefit the underprivileged segments of ASEAN countries," it said.

Duterte also underscored the need for ASEAN to intensify cooperation to address "non-traditional security threats, such as terrorism, violent extremism, transnational crimes, particularly illegal drugs, and climate change," it said.

Duterte said countries most responsible for climate change should be held to account.

He also pushed for enhanced regional efforts to combat marine debris and prevent the export of garbage to ASEAN countries. Celerina Monte/DMS