President Rodrigo Duterte is off to India today for the Association of Southeast Asian Nation (ASEAN) – India Special Commemorative Summit.
In his departure speech this aftenoon at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) Terminal 2, he said he needed to join the event with 10 other heads of state.
He said the trip is all about trade and commerce.
Duterte intends to ask ASEAN members to impose a hardline policy against terrorism.
He noted, at this time, the organization has no campaign against terrorists who are crossing international borders.
"Blow them up in the high seas. If we don't do termination, we will always be at the mercy of the criminals. If we have to kill, we kill. It cannot be empty words," he urged fellow ASEAN members.
Duterte said only Indonesia has strong stand against terrorists and sea pirates.
He said if the ASEAN cannot fight the terrorists, "we just have to call on China to blow them off."
Duterte will be in New Delhi until January 26.
Some 3,000 Filipinos live in India.