President Aquino joins nine other leaders of the
Association of Southeast Asian Nations at the formal opening of the 21st ASEAN
Summit in Cambodia
PHNOM
PENH, Cambodia) President Benigno S. Aquino III joined with the other nine
leaders of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) at the formal
opening of the 21st ASEAN Summit and Related Summits on Sunday here.
The
President, who arrived in Cambodia with his delegation Saturday night,
proceeded to the Peace Palace, the venue of the summit, at around 9 am
(Cambodia time).
Other
ASEAN leaders also arrived at the Peace Palace with their spouses. They were
welcomed by Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen and the first lady Lok Chumteav
Dr. Bun Rany Hun Sen.
Following
the welcome message of Prime Minister Hun Sen, the President together with his
ASEAN counterparts likewise posed for the traditional photo session.
During
the opening ceremonies, the leaders also launched the ASEAN Institute of Peace
and Reconciliation.
Later,
the President is expected to join the Plenary Session, the signing of the ASEAN
Leaders Statement on the Adoption of the ASEAN Human Rights Declaration, the
ASEAN Leaders meeting with ASEAN Business Advisory Council (ABAC), Retreat
Session, and the bilateral meeting with the Prime Minister of India..
Among the
country's position that he is expected to push during the three-day summit
include maritime security and cooperation in the West Philippine Sea, human
rights and protection of migrant workers, among others.
Aside
from the summit, ASEAN leaders are also meeting with their 10 dialogue
partners, namely, Australia, Canada, China, European Union, India, Japan, New
Zealand, South Korea, Russia and the United States as well as the United
Nations Development Program (UNDP).
At the
same time, the ASEAN leaders are also expected to finalize the preparations for
an ASEAN community by 2015. Cambodia, this year’s summit chair, adopted the
theme “ASEAN: One Community, One Destiny.”
ASEAN is
composed of Brunei Darussalam, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar,
the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam.
Established in 1967, ASEAN as a regional block
which aims to accelerate economic growth, social progress and cultural
development in Southeast Asia. ASEAN also seeks the promotion of regional peace
and stability through the rule of law and adherence to the principles of the
United Nations Charter. PND (as)
Malacanang appeals to pyramid scam victims 'not
to take the law into their hands'
Malacañang appealed to the victims of a
large-scale pyramid scam in the Visayas and Mindanao not to take the law into
their own hands saying that local enforcement authorities were working
furiously to expedite the capture and prosecution of those behind the swindle.
Deputy
Presidential Spokesperson Abigail Valte aired the appeal in a press briefing
over state-run dzRB Radyo ng Bayan on Sunday.
She said
the government was concerned about the series of criminal acts being
perpetrated by victims against officials and employees of Aman Futures Group,
Incorporated to recoup the millions of pesos lost from investing with the
doomed multi-level marketing company.
“We
reiterate our appeal to the investors not to take the law into their own
hands,” Valte said.
“The
authorities are moving quickly on this. Lahat po ay ginawaga ang kanilang
makakayanan upang mabigyan ng hustisya ang mga nalokong investors,” she added.
Valte
noted that the President had instructed law enforcement agencies to move
quickly in order to bring to justice the brains behind the scam.
“Well so
far, the instructions of the President are to proceed as quickly as possible.
The law enforcement agencies are coordinating with officials in Malaysia where
the president of Aman Futures is said to have gone,” Valte said. PND (rck)
President Aquino and other nine ASEAN leaders
sign PHNOM PENH Statement on Adoption of ASEAN Human Rights Declaration
PHNOM
PENH, Cambodia: President Benigno S. Aquino III joined fellow leaders of the
Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Sunday in signing the
declaration that ensures protection and promotion of human rights in Southeast
Asia.
The
President and the other nine ASEAN leaders gathered at the Peace Palace here
following the Plenary Session of the 21st ASEAN Summit and Related Summits to
sign the Phnom Penh Statement on the Adoption of the ASEAN Human Rights
Declaration.
In a
press conference after the signing, ASEAN Secretary-General, Dr. Surin Pitsuwan
said there was a development Saturday during the crafting of the declaration
when the ASEAN foreign ministers added one important paragraph in the
operational phrase and that is “to commit ourselves to the universal
declarations instruments of human rights.”
The ASEAN
will commit to the Universal Declaration of Human Rights in addition to its own
declaration and instruments, the secretary general said.
The
regional bloc will not only pursue the protection and promotion of human rights
but also maintain the highest human rights standard as expressed in various
instruments and declarations of the international community.
“I think
that is a major, major development and member states feel quite ready to
endorse. And this morning before lunch the leaders have just signed that into a
declaration, committing themselves—every government, every country to the
highest standards existing and available, and this can be used to monitor the
practice, the protection, the promotion of human rights in the ASEAN
countries,” Pitsuwan said.
Aside
from advocating human rights, President Aquino is expected to push for maritime
security and cooperation in the West Philippine Sea, and protection of migrant
workers during the three-day summit. PND (as)
President
Aquino underscores need for increased maritime security, peace and stability in
ASEAN
PHNOM PENH, Cambodia) President Benigno S.
Aquino III underscored the need for an increased maritime security and peace
and stability in the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) region,
particularly in connection with the disputed West Philippine Sea.
During a
media briefing at Landscape Hotel on Sunday here, Presidential Communications
Operations Office Secretary Herminio “Sonny” Coloma Jr. said that the President
echoed this statement during the Plenary Session which was attended by his
ASEAN counterparts.
“I wish
to reiterate the need for maritime security and cooperation in ensuring freedom
of navigation, in combating piracy, and in maintaining peace and stability in
our region. The ASEAN six-point principles on the South China Sea manifest our
collective vision—a vision founded on the principle of centrality. My country
supports its effective implementation which will highlight the fruits of
constructive dialogue, strengthen our resolve, and reaffirm our respect for
international law such as the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea
(UNCLOS),” Coloma quoted the President as saying during the Plenary Session.
President
Aquino, in his intervention during the Plenary Session, emphasized the
six-point principles agreed by the ASEAN and the Declaration on the Conduct of
Parties in the South China Sea (DOC), which will pave the way for the crafting
of the Code of Conduct in the South China Sea, Coloma said.
President
Aquino’s position was affirmed by Indonesian President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono
who said that ASEAN member countries should maintain calm and exercise
self-restraint with regards to the West Philippine Sea issue, he added.
Meanwhile, Vietnamese Prime Minister Nguyen
Tan Dung reiterated the significance of the six-point principles, the DOC, and
the Code of Conduct, in ensuring maritime security and safety.
Singaporean Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong
also said that ASEAN countries should abide by the six-point principles and the
DOC, exercise maximum restraint and refrain from initiating provocative
actions, and start discussions with China on the Code of Conduct.
The
Singaporean leader said that the ASEAN needs to speak up and not take sides,
maintain neutrality and adopt a forward-looking attitude to resolve the issue.
PND (as)
ASEAN leaders laud Philippines for Mindanao
peace efforts
PHNOM
PENH, Cambodia) The leaders of the
Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) expressed elation over the
signing of the Framework Agreement for Mindanao peace noting that the regional
grouping must manage or resolve all internal conflict as the ASEAN region moves
towards a single community by 2015.
During a
press conference at the International Press Center here, ASEAN
Secretary-General, Dr. Surin Pitsuwan said there was a high level discussion
among ASEAN leaders at the 21st ASEAN Summit Plenary Session Sunday morning
about the need to stop internal conflicts and violence within the ASEAN region
as it forms one community.
“We owe
it to each other to make sure that internal violence and conflicts will be
managed. The ASEAN leaders have expressed appreciation to the President of the
Philippines...that the government of the
Philippines has agreed with the southern elements to return to peace,
development, and cooperation,” Pitsuwan said referring to the Framework
Agreement.
“The
overall sense and opinion in the room is that, yes, we need to make sure that
internal conflict, internal violence shall be managed and resolved as we move
into the ASEAN community,” he stressed.
The
violence between Muslims and Buddhists in Rakhine State in Myanmar last October
made internal conflict a concern among ASEAN member countries. The Myanmar
violence killed at least 89 people. Myanmar’s President Thein Sein blamed
nationalist and religious extremists for the crisis. PND (as)
Aquino in good
spirits despite his flu
PHNOM
PENH, Cambodia: President Benigno S. Aquino III is in good spirits despite
suffering from influenza and allergic rhinitis prior to his attendance to the
21st Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Summit and Related Summits
here, a Palace official said.
“The
President is in good spirits. He is very energetic. He is animated by the
significance of his participation in this vital forum,” Presidential
Communications Operations Secretary Herminio “Sonny” Coloma Jr. said in a media
briefing at the Landscape Hotel.
Cabinet
Secretary Jose Rene Almendras, who joined Coloma in the briefing, said the
President always makes it sure that he’s taking his medication on time.
Almendras
said the President’s will and the intent to be at the summit are driving him to
work and join with his ASEAN counterparts.
He said
that the President doesn’t want to miss the opportunities and interactions with
fellow leaders that’s why he proceeded with the trip.
According
to the Cabinet Secretary, the President has 10 opportunities to speak in the
forum, two plenaries, two retreats, and bilateral meetings adding that the
Cabinet and the President prepared statements for each forums or engagements.
“This is
one of the primary considerations why the President really decided to come
over. It’s a rare opportunity to participate in these dialogues and we do have
something to say in most of them,” Almendras concluded. PND (as)
ASEAN eyes smooth journey towards regional
integration, says Coloma
PHNOM
PENH, Cambodia) Aside from many issues affecting the Association of Southeast
Asian Nations (ASEAN), an overarching concern of the ASEAN leaders is the
movement towards 2015 of the regional bloc, Presidential Communications
Operations Office Secretary Herminio “Sonny” Coloma Jr. said on Sunday.
Coloma
and Cabinet Secretary Jose Rene Almendras held a media briefing with Palace
reporters covering the ASEAN 21st summit at Landscape Hotel here following the
attendance of President Benigno S. Aquino III at the Summit’s Plenary Session.
Coloma
said there is a common and shared commitment to establish the ASEAN community
by 2015, and the ASEAN heads of states acknowledged the importance of achieving
the goal for the credibility of ASEAN as a regional grouping.
The
agenda is quite hefty, Coloma said as he noted the three pillars of the ASEAN
community roadmap such as political security, economic, and socio-cultural.
“The
whole theme is really moving towards the ASEAN community of 2015 and there are
three pillars of that community,” Coloma stressed.
“Within
ASEAN, the member-states really want to move purposively towards a stronger
political security community which is indispensable if the region is going to
achieve economic growth,” he added.
During
the Plenary Session, Coloma said Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen mentioned the
master plan on ASEAN connectivity and integration.
Among
these items include the resolution of tariff and non-tariff issues, the
investment liberalization communication and transportation and the development
of small and medium enterprises.
The Prime
Minister also described the challenges that are facing ASEAN on the global
front, Coloma said. These are the European debt crisis, the US fiscal cliff,
the Asian economic slowdown, the current Palestinian conflict, climate change,
transnational crimes, drug trafficking and human trafficking.
President
Aquino joined fellow ASEAN leaders in the Summit’s Plenary Session Sunday
morning to tackle a wide range of issues. PND (as)
President
Aquino closely monitors Israel-Palestine situation while in Cambodia
PHNOM
PENH, Cambodia) President Benigno S. Aquino III is closely monitoring the
current Israeli-Palestinian standoff given the significant number of Filipinos
in the area should the crisis escalate, Cabinet Secretary Jose Rene Almendras
said on Sunday.
Almendras
and Presidential Communications Operations Office Secretary Herminio Coloma Jr.
conducted a media briefing at the Landscape Hotel here after joining the President
in the 21st ASEAN Summit Plenary Session at the Peace Palace, the summit venue.
He said
that the President is keeping in touch with Foreign Affairs Secretary Albert
del Rosario on the Israeli-Hamas situation.
Citing
figures from Secretary del Rosario, Almendras pointed out that there are 100
Filipinos in the Gaza area and 41,000 in Israel.
“The
rapid response teams of the DFA are already on the move and they know what to
do in order to get the Filipinos out of harms’ way in that area,” he said.
“The
President, as he has always done whenever he is in an overseas engagement, he
makes sure that all of the other important issues are properly addressed and
this is what he has done," Almendras said.
The
Cabinet Secretary said that at present, the Philippine Embassy in Tel Aviv has
been calling Filipinos in Gaza asking about their situation. However, he
emphasized that the Filipino workers that have been contacted in the affected
areas said that they would prefer to stay in their respective posts in the mean
time.
According
to Almendras, the Philippine Embassy in Egypt has formed a team to assist
Filipinos if the situation escalates further. He added that if the Filipinos
decide to move out, the Philippine Embassy in Egypt will be ready to handle
them.
Renewed
tensions erupted in Palestine and Israel as Israeli and Hamas forces traded
rockets which has led to the death of many civilians. It was reported that
Israel has called up thousands of military reservists for a possible assault.
PND (as)
Leaders of the Association of Southeast Asian
Nations adopt the Bali Concord III Plan of Action for 2013 to 2017
PHNOM
PENH, Cambodia) The leaders of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations
(ASEAN) adopted the Bali Concord III Plan of Action for 2013 to 2017 during the
Plenary Session of the 21st ASEAN Summit here, Presidential Communications
Operations Office Secretary Herminio Coloma, Jr. said.
The Bali
Concord III was signed at the 19th ASEAN Summit by the 10 heads of
state/government during the chairmanship of Indonesia in 2011. The Bali Concord
III focuses on the three pillars of the ASEAN such as politics and security,
economy and socio-culture.
Under
politics and security cooperation, the declaration calls for conflict
resolution, fighting transnational crime, piracy and corruption eradication as
well as nuclear disarmament.
It also
calls for ASEAN's participation in the global economy, the strengthening of the
regional economy, adoption of product standards, access improvement, increased
agricultural investment and energy diversification.
The
declaration also pushes for enhanced cooperation on natural disaster mitigation
and management, climate change, health, education and culture.
Aside
from adopting the Bali Concord III, the ASEAN leaders signed the ASEAN
Declaration on Human Rights. President Benigno S. Aquino III joined his
counterparts in signing or adopting the declarations during the opening day of
the summit. PND (as)
Philippines to provide assistance to Filipino
Overseas Workers affected by recent oil rig blast off the Coast of Louisiana in
America
PHNOM
PENH, Cambodia – The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) is working hard to
render immediate assistance to the Filipinos affected by the recent oil
platform blast off the Louisiana coast in the United States, a Malacañang
official said Sunday.
Presidential Communications Operations Office
(PCOO) Secretary Herminio "Sonny" Coloma, Jr. told Manila-based
reporters during a media briefing here that the nearest Philippine Embassy in
the US had already taken the necessary actions in response to the situation.
“You can
be sure that the nearest Philippine consulate or embassy would have immediately
taken action to establish their identity, to get in touch with their nearest
kin, and also to provide immediate assistance—medical or otherwise,” Coloma
said.
Coloma
noted that the DFA is acting on it in accordance with the protocols as part of
its mandate to attend to the needs of our countrymen living and working
overseas.
“There
are protocols that our Department of Foreign Affairs is dutifully following and
this is because that’s one of the priorities of the diplomatic posts
---attention to nationals. That’s one of the three important priorities of any
diplomatic office. So you can be sure na inaasikaso na agad ‘yan,” he stressed.
Two
Filipinos were reported missing following the explosion of an offshore oil
platform in the Gulf of Mexico, and the Philippine Embassy in the US has just
confirmed that one of them has already been found lifeless near the accident
scene.
“We
regret to announce that the body that was recovered near the accident scene a
few hours ago belongs to one of our two missing kababayans," Philippine
Ambassador to the United States Jose L. Cuisia, Jr. was quoted saying in a
November 18 press release posted by the Philippine Embassy in the US in its
website.
“We
continue to hope and pray that our other kababayan is still alive and would be
recovered soon,” he added.
Aside
from the two, four other Filipinos suffered serious burns and are now being
treated at the Regional Burn Center of the Baton Rouge General Hospital, also
in Louisiana.
An
information gathered by the Philippine Embassy said all victims are employees
of the Grand Isle Shipyard that provides manpower to Black Elk Energy Offshore
Operations LLC, the Houston-based independent oil and gas company that owns the
stricken platform. PND (hdc)
