FORMER National Security Adviser Roilo Golez said Monday the Asean chairmanship will put President Rodrigo Duterte under the “global microscope” because of the rivalry among China, Russia and the United States.
Golez said he had called on Duterte to handle the Asean chairmanship properly because of the dispute over the South China Sea dispute.
“This Asean summit will attract global attention and will put our President under a global microscope,” Golez told the Tapatan sa Aristocrat forum.
“It will be a boon to our country, it will generate additional investments and respect.”
The Philippines is this year’s chairman for the Asean Summit in November, which will be attended by leaders from the US, Russia, China, Australia, Japan and India.
He said this year’s summit will have several “geopolitical events” in which different countries will discuss their interests.
“Russia is attending, India is there with its own agenda, Indonesia, and Australia is there,” Golez said.
“And Australia just had a meeting with Japan about strengthening security relations. India is supplying Vietnam weapons and training. This is going to be a big show.”
Golez said Duterte was being followed by the international media.
“Every day he comes out in in the international news,” he said.
He said President-elect Donald Trump and Secretary of State Rex Tillerson will also attend the summit.
Tillerson last week said China should be barred from entering the disputed South China Sea.
But the Philippines, the US’ long-time ally, efused to support Tillerson’s statement. .
“This must be handled very well by the President and his team because all eyes will be on him on how to deal with the dynamics of the Asean,” Golez said.
He said everybody would be pushing for their own agenda in the forum.
