(Eagle News) — The Philippines will once again affirm its commitment to the war against terror during the Association of Southeast Asian Nations-Australia Special Summit to be held in Sydney this week.
In a statement, the Department of Foreign Affairs said the country–which will be represented by Foreign Affairs Alan Peter Cayetano–will also share its development agenda during the two-day leaders dialogue that is “expected to focus on political-security, business, and other regional concerns.”
Among the leaders expected in the event were Australian Prime Minister Malcolm R. Turnbull and other ASEAN heads of state.
“What we will be highlighting in Sydney is the role the Philippines plays and could play not just as a participant but as an active contributor to regional counter-terrorism efforts,” Cayetano said.
According to Foreign Affairs Undersecretary Enrique Manalo, the special summit is “expected to strengthen regional security and prosperity through intensified leader-level discussion and a forward program of increased practical engagement on education, economic cooperation, countering terrorism and common security challenges.”
Cayetano said that at the same time, “we would like to share our Build, Build, Build Program that is intended to hasten development across the country, especially Mindanao.”
The DFA said a business summit will also be held on the sides of the special summit.
The summit, the DFA said, will be attended by prominent Filipino business leaders such as Jaime Zobel de Ayala, Enrique Razon, Lance Gokongwei, Ramon Ang, Joey Concepcion, Manuel V. Pangilinan and Teresita Sy-Coson.
Ambassador to Canberra Minda Cruz said Cayetano will also “discuss developments” in the Philippines with members of the Filipino community he will be meeting before returning to Manila on Sunday.
Trade Secretary Ramon M. Lopez, Chief Legal Counsel Salvador S. Panelo and other officials from DFA and the Department of Trade and Industry will be accompanying Cayetano in the trip.