PRESIDENT Rodrigo Duterte on Monday said he had thanked Manila’s neighbors for providing assistance in dealing with the terrorist siege in Marawi City, and stressed that extremism and other non-traditional security issues would “put a dent” to the region’s growth and disrupt the stability of global and regional commerce.
Addressing world leaders, who flocked to Manila for Asean’s 50th Anniversary, Duterte thanked Asean countries and dialogue partners for helping the communities affected by the Marawi crisis.
Less than a month ago, Philippine government forces liberated the city of Marawi from terrorist groups who pledged allegiance to the Islamic State, after storming into the provincial capital in mid-May.
“We thank our international partners for providing assistance in dealing with the situation in Marawi City,” Duterte said in his remarks during the Opening Ceremony of the 31st Asean Summit and Related Summits.
“Our Asean brothers provided support by sending relief items for the benefit of the internally displaced persons while others provided valuable assistance and bolstered our military campaign,” he added.
The government is now helping people back on their feet to reclaim their lives, Duterte added.
The President, citing his experience in handling Marawi, said that terrorism and violent extremism “endanger the peace, stability and security of our region because these threats know no boundaries.
The menace of illegal drug trade continues to endanger the very fabric of our societies, the President added.
“These and other issues are high on the agenda of our meetings along with the other non-traditional security issues that challenge the prosperity of our economies, the integrity of our institutions, and more importantly, the safety of our people,” he added.