First foreign stop: Brunei

DAVAO CITY, Philippines – For the first time since rising to power, President Duterte is embarking on an overseas trip tomorrow, starting with a two-day state visit to Brunei.

After flying out to Bandar Seri Begawan tomorrow afternoon, Duterte will proceed to Vientiane, Laos for his first summit – the 49th Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) leaders’ gathering, before going to Indonesia.

Duterte will take a chartered Philippine Airlines plane to Brunei after ceremonies at the Davao City International Airport.

He is set to meet early tomorrow with Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah to discuss bilateral issues.

From Brunei, the President will proceed to Laos on Tuesday for the ASEAN summit.

On the sidelines of the summit, Duterte will hold bilateral talks with leaders of several ASEAN dialogue partners including US President Barack Obama and Russian President Vladimir Putin.

At the inauguration of the Davao International Container Terminal yesterday, Duterte reiterated he is ready to explain to Obama his bloody campaign against illegal drugs.

The US has expressed concern over the rising death toll in the Philippines’ war on illegal drugs.

Slighted by the US statement, Duterte reminded the Americans of their own human rights abuses targeting African-Americans.

At the National Heroes’ Day ceremonies led by Duterte, some observers taught US Ambassador Philip Goldberg had snubbed the rites. Goldberg, however, left for Washington about two weeks ago for consultations and the Heroes’ Day ceremonies were attended by embassy Chargé d’Affaires Michael Klecheski.

An announcement on the website of the Philippine embassy in Brunei said the President is scheduled to meet with the Filipino community at around 5:30 p.m. tomorrow at the Indoor Stadium Hassanal Bolkiah National Sports Complex.

Asean chair

In Vientiane, the President will officially accept for the country the rotating chairmanship of the ASEAN from Laos.

Capping the President’s three-nation Asian swing is a state visit to Indonesia until Sept. 10.

Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) spokesman Charles Jose said the ceremonies for the turnover of the ASEAN chairmanship would be held on the last day of the summit.

Duterte’s entourage includes Foreign Affairs Secretary Perfecto Yasay Jr., Trade Secretary Ramon Lopez and Social Welfare Secretary Judy Taguiwalo.

The Philippine delegation is also set to give a presentation on the country’s programs as next ASEAN chair.

“The Philippines will present a preview of its chairmanship, including next year’s theme and logo during the symbolic turnover on Sept. 8, aside from accepting the chairmanship,” Jose said in a press briefing yesterday at the DFA.

In the Laos summit, Jose said ASEAN members will look for ways to strengthen relations – including those with dialogue partners – as well as reaffirm their commitment to the implementation of the ASEAN Community Vision 2025 and the Way Forward.

The summit will also give the Philippines the opportunity to promote its priority goals, including working for a drug-free ASEAN, ensuring respect for the rule of law, setting in place a legally binding code of conduct in disputed waters, better emergency response and disaster management, protection of migrant workers, combatting human trafficking and terrorism and ensuring inclusive economic growth and connectivity.

In a speech at the opening of the Davao International Container Terminal, Duterte reiterated his administration’s commitment to establish and strengthen good relations with other nations.

“I would just say that we are ready to cooperate in establishing good order among nations, that we are ready to do our part internationally, comply with our obligations, comply with the contracts we have entered into with foreigners doing business in the country,” he said.

He said he would also raise the issues of terrorism, human trafficking and drugs with the US president and other world leaders at the ASEAN summit.

On the drug issue, Duterte said he would discuss with world leaders the Philippines’ being used as transshipment point by organizing drug rings such as the Sinaloa drug cartel and other groups with global reach.

He also expressed concerns over the rampant activities of Chinese drug dealers in the Philippines.

No talking points

“I do not prepare speeches,” Duterte said regarding his foray into ASEAN, adding he has no specific talking points with Obama.

“They can have their agenda and I can have mine,” he said.

Earlier yesterday, Foreign Affairs Assistant Secretary Ma. Hellen de la Vega said the President is ready to explain to the US and the international community the context of his anti-drug campaign amid human rights issues.

“I think the President is clear. That is why his first statement is to ask President Obama to listen to him, so he will discuss and explain to him the problem that we face as far as the drug problem is concerned. I think he is prepared for it,” De la Vega said.

De la Vega’s statements came in the wake of the US government’s statement that Obama would pull no punches in discussing human rights issues with Duterte.

Presidential Communications Secretary Martin Andanar said the President wants to take the opportunity at the ASEAN summit to explain to the world the urgency of addressing the drug menace in the country. – Christina Mendez, Rainier Allan Ronda