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Rody highlights need for unity, rule of law during ASEAN 2017 launch

FROM A DISTANCE - Alexis Romero - Philstar.com

January 15, 2017 | 6:26pm

Without mentioning the South China Sea dispute, President Rodrigo Duterte said the Philippines’ priorities for this year include working for regional peace and stability and pursuing maritime security and cooperation.

PPD / / Toto Lozano, File

MANILA, Philippines — President Rodrigo Duterte emphasized the need for unity and the importance of rule of law as the Philippines kicked off Sunday its hosting of this year’s Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) meet.

Duterte said while the regional bloc has achieved gains in improving people’s lives and promoting development in the last 50 years, it has to continue working together to address the challenges it is facing.

“We have established amongst ourselves good neighborliness that allow for secure and stable relations. But we also see in ourselves the very same burning desire to move forward together based on shared values,” the president said during the ASEAN 2017 launch in Davao City Sunday.

“We see the very same resolve to work together for a world that recognizes interconnectedness and respects for the sovereign independence. This is one of the important lessons that ASEAN can hold to the Asia-Pacific region and our world,” he added.

“But we too have learned many lessons. One of them is that the unity and cooperation that have defined ASEAN over the last five decades will be crucial to our collective success. We realize that, in truth, there is still a lot of hard work to be done for true transformation that will benefit our peoples in the region.”

Without mentioning the South China Sea dispute, Duterte said the Philippines’ priorities for this year include working for regional peace and stability and pursuing maritime security and cooperation.

“In our work, we will be guided by the following priorities: We will place our peoples at the core; work for regional peace and stability; pursue maritime security and cooperation; advance inclusive, innovation-led growth; strengthen ASEAN resiliency; and promote ASEAN as a model of regionalism and as a global player,” he said.

“This is a tremendous task but one that is not unachievable.”

Four ASEAN members — Malaysia, Vietnam, Brunei and the Philippines — are claimants in the South China Sea maritime dispute. Other claimants are China, which claims virtually the entire resource-rich area, and Taiwan.

Last year, a Hague-based tribunal ruled that China’s expansive claim has no legal basis but Beijing refused to recognize the decision. Officials previously said that the maritime dispute would be one of the priority topics of this year’s ASEAN meet.

Duterte called on ASEAN member states and dialogue partners to adhere to the rule of law.

“In this journey, I call on all ASEAN Member States to rededicate themselves and commit anew to the principles and purposes behind the establishment of our association adherence to the rule of law. Now, more than ever, it is ASEAN’s spirit of community that will enable us to overcome challenges that we face as a region,” the Philippine leader said.

“I also call on ASEAN dialogue partners to renew their dedication to the valued purposes and principles stated in the Treaty of Amity and Cooperation — including non-interference — in promoting regional peace and stability through abiding respect for the rule of law,” he added.

“Now, more than ever, it is a time for real change through constructive engagements.”

Duterte said the Philippines, as this year’s ASEAN chair, would remain steadfast in upholding ASEAN ideals and values and work for the realization of regional bloc’s shared aspirations.

“We are committed to the building of a strong and resilient ASEAN Community,” he said.

“We will actively promote and enhance ASEAN interests and well-being through policy initiatives, coordination, consensus and cooperation.”

Duterte, in particular, stressed the importance of prioritizing the interests of the people in the region and providing them opportunities for a better life.

“This is a life that has broken the bonds of dependence and ignorance. This is a life that has given opportunities for self-improvement. This is a life that is provided by a society transformed and reformed. We must continue working on a bigger, more open and rules-based market for business and trade to thrive,” the president said.

“We must forge on with increased people-to-people interaction through commerce, travel and education. We must strive for a region that promotes and maintains peace, security and stability.”

Duterte said such goals can be achieved by strengthening the capacities of micro, small and medium enterprises, promoting and protecting the welfare of migrant workers, and ensuring the social protection for vulnerable sectors.

He said during the Philippines’ chairmanship, attention would be given to sub-regional mechanisms, including the Brunei Darussalam-Indonesia-Malaysia-Philippines East ASEAN Growth Area (BIMP-EAGA). The Philippines will also be the chairman of the sub-regional initiative this year.

“The Philippines will be firm in its advocacy to promote cooperation between and among ASEAN neighbors and engage our dialogue partners to be more dynamic and vibrant stakeholders in the continued development of our region,” Duterte said.

Duterte urged Filipinos to display the bayanihan spirit and “take an active and constructive part” during the Philippines’ chairmanship of ASEAN.

Officials also unveiled the ASEAN commemorative coin and stamp during Sunday’s launch.

The commemorative coin contains 10 stars symbolizing the ASEAN member-states, the regional bloc’s emblem and an illustration of Jose Rizal’s monument.

Meanwhile, the commemorative stamp contains the ASEAN 2017 logo, 10 stars and the theme “Partnering for Change, Engaging the World.”