Departure for Thailand and Malaysia
The president laid out his agenda for his visit to Thailand and the official visit to Malaysia in a speech at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport Terminal II on 9 November 2016.
SPEECH OF PRESIDENT RODRIGO ROA DUTERTE
DURING THE DEPARTURE CEREMONIES FOR HIS VISIT
TO MALAYSIA AND THAILAND
NAIA Terminal 2, Pasay City
November 9, 2016
The Executive Secretary Salvador Medialdea; Lieutenant General Ricardo Visaya; Director General Ronald Dela Rosa, umabot ba? Si Bato? General Manager Eddie Monreal; Congresswoman Emi Calixto-Rubiano; Mayor Antonio Calixto, yes sir; my fellow workers in government; my beloved countrymen.
This time I will just read.
I leave today for Bangkok to pay respect to His Majesty, King Bhumibol Adulyadej. His Majesty, the King, was a true friend of the Philippines, whose state visit in 1963 continues to resonate to this day.
He will be remembered for his dedicated efforts to foster goodwill and friendship between our nations and peoples.
For all he has done to bridge peoples to greater understanding, it truly deserves a special place in history.
After Thailand, I will proceed immediately to Kuala Lumpur for an official visit, a part of my introductory visits to countries in Southeast Asian countries.
I will meet with Prime Minister Dato Sri Mohammad Najib bin Tun Abdul Razak to discuss ways of sustaining the growth, both our countries, ensuring peace and inclusive development for our people.
The focus of my visit shall be to strengthen the Philippines’ partnership with Malaysia for security and stability, these are the foundations of our nation’s peace process, progress, and prosperity.
Foremost on my agenda is the maritime security and the fight against piracy at sea.
As maritime nations, we do have a state ensuring that our waterways are secure and that criminal and terrorists elements do not use our seas to undertake their illegal activities.
I will also seek greater cooperation in the war against illicit drug trade. This menace knows no boundaries and cooperation between our nations is vital in order to address this problem.
The bilateral defense, security and law enforcement efforts should be seen as supporting both our nations’ resolve to contribute to greater stability in Southeast Asia and in the larger region.
The Philippines recognizes Malaysia’s role in pursuing just and lasting peace in Mindanao.
In my talk with the Prime Minister, I shall seek Malaysia’s continued support for the peace process in Southern Philippines.
Of course, for economic cooperation will be important point of reference, I will discuss the ways of intensifying two-way trade and investment as well as support for the Brunei-Indonesia-Malaysia-Philippines (BIMP)/Ea st ASEAN Growth Area to spur Mindanao growth.
The two tracks of peace and prosperity have to be pursued ensure that the developments that we aim will benefit all.
I will also use the occasion to identify other opportunities for broader collaboration with Malaysia.
During my visit, I will meet the hardworking Filipino Community in Malaysia. Their interests are at the core of our visit to Kuala Lumpur.
As I have great members of ASEAN and Malaysia, as founding members, we share a commitment of all the ASEAN values in the region.
I will seek Malaysia’s full support for the Philippines’ ASEAN Chairmanship in 2017.
I am hopeful that my visit will move further forward as we pursue common aspirations for our peoples, our nations, and our region.
As I have sworn to you before, my guiding principle in this and all engagements will be the protection of the national interest of our people.
We will be unflagging in our effort to pursue our independent foreign policy consistent with the provision of our Constitution and the mandate we post on the Office of the President.
Salamat po. ●