ASEAN IN FOCUS

Cabinet members make pitch for PHL economic programs in world forum

(Eagle News) — Members of President Rodrigo Duterte’s Cabinet presented before the international media the economic development system of Philippine government, called “Dutertenomics,” during the World Economic Forum (WEF)  in Phnom Penh, Cambodia’s capital on Thursday. The Cabinet members all made their pitch to promote the major infrastructure projects under the program “Build, Build, Build”  that they said would create more jobs and more business opportunities for the Philippines. “Our milestones are ambitious. We will spend five to seven percent […]

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President Duterte emphasizes need to destroy ASEAN illegal drug apparatus in world forum

(Eagle News) — President Rodrigo Duterte emphasized the need to dismantle and destroy the illegal drug trade apparatus in the Association of Southeast Asian Nations, saying it was a “scourge” that “threatens” the youth and the “future of our societies.” “We cannot turn a blind eye (to) the scourge of illegal drugs that threatens our youth and the future of our societies. We need to take a committed stand to dismantle and destroy the illegal drug […]

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DENR hosts the 18th meeting of ASEAN-AWGCME at the Conrad Manila in Pasay City

The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) on Thursday, May 11 hosted the 18th meeting of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Working Group on Coastal and Marine Environment (AWGCME) at the Conrad Manila in Pasay City. The working group recognizes the importance of coastal and marine resources for the livelihood of ASEAN people and aims to protect the 173,000 km of coastline of the ASEAN nations.

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Tillerson, Trump to attend November ASEAN Summit in Manila, as US reaffirms commitment to region

  (Eagle News) — United States Secretary of State Rex Tillerson confirmed that he and US President Donald Trump will attend the Association of South East Asian Nations (ASEAN) Summit this November in the Philippines, as his country renewed its commitment to the ASEAN-US strategic partnership. “The Philippines looks forward to the US’ renewed commitment to ASEAN-US strategic partnership at the upcoming ASEAN Post-Ministerial Conferences (PMC) + 1 in August and the 5th ASEAN-US Summit in […]

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U.S. Secretary of State Tillerson meets with ASEAN leaders

  (Reuters) — U.S. Secretary of State Rex Tillerson welcomed leaders from the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) to Washington on Thursday (May 4). The talks come amid signs members of ASEAN are tilting diplomatically toward China as the Trump administration’s policy on the region remains unclear. President Trump’s flurry of calls last weekend to the leaders of the Philippines, Thailand and Singapore might cheer those who fear his predecessor Barack Obama’s “pivot” to […]

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Japan to offer patrol planes to Malaysia: report

TOKYO, Japan (AFP) — Japan plans to donate retired military patrol aircraft to Malaysia, a report said Friday, as alliances strengthen in response to China’s maritime claims. The two countries are among a number in the region stepping up defense cooperation against what they see as Beijing’s aggressive stance on the high seas. Beijing insists it has sovereign rights to almost all of the South China Sea — strategically vital waters, where the Philippines, Vietnam, […]

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China to work with ASEAN countries for full implementation of DOC

A Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson on Tuesday said that China is willing to work with members of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations to fully implement the declaration on the conduct (DOC) of parties in the South China Sea. In his regular press conference,  Geng Shuang said that China is also willing to deepen maritime practical cooperation to arrive at a code of conduct or COC “based on consensus at an early date.” On the occasion […]

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DFA denies China hand in ASEAN statement

An official of the Department of Foreign Affairs has denied that China had attempted to influence the Association of Southeast Asian Nations heads of states in crafting their ASEAN joint statement. According to Zaldy Patron, DFA’s executive director for ASEAN affairs, the regional bloc’s leaders just expressed optimism that there will be “good progress” as the code of conduct (COC) framework in the contested waters is expected to be completed by the middle of this year. “Whereas before, China […]

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ASEAN releases Chairman’s statement, calls for respect for int’l laws, including UNCLOS on South China Sea

  (Eagle News) — The Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) has issued the Chairman’s statement which contained the overview of what had been discussed and finalized during the 30th ASEAN Summit in Manila which ended on April 29, Saturday. This included the commitment to peacefully resolve disputes and respect for legal and diplomatic processes, even citing the respect for international laws such as the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea […]

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Widodo and Duterte inaugurate new shipping route in Davao to boost PHL-Indonesia trade

  (Reuters) — Indonesian President Joko Widodo travelled to President Rodrigo Duterte’s hometown Davao City on Sunday (April 30) to inaugurate a new shipping route to boost trade between the Philippines and Indonesia. “One of the most important commitment that I forged with President Widodo was the opening of the ASEAN roll on-roll off route between the Philippines and Indonesia. This route shall be the first of the many routes which shall form for the […]

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Trump invites Philippines’ Duterte to Washington in ‘friendly’ call

    WASHINGTON, United States (AFP) — US President Donald Trump on Saturday invited his Philippine counterpart Rodrigo Duterte to Washington in a “friendly” call in which the leaders discussed the “threat” of North Korea, the White House said. The announcement comes amid rising tensions over Pyongyang’s nuclear and missile programs following its latest test-fire, as well international criticism of Duterte’s drug crackdown that has claimed thousands of lives. “It was a very friendly conversation, […]

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President Duterte hosts festive gala dinner capping 30th ASEAN Summit in Manila

  (Eagle News) — A festive gala dinner for the ASEAN heads of state and their spouses capped the 30th ASEAN Summit in Manila Saturday night, April 29,  hosted by President Rodrigo Duterte. The ASEAD heads of state wore Rajo Laurel designed barongs with motifs unique to Mindanao where the President comes from. Their spouses also wore formal dresses by designer Rhett Eala, with the top made from gazar or Mikado fabric, and the bottom made […]

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