ASEAN Foreign Minister push for early conclusion
of Code of Conduct in South China Sea
NAY PYI TAW, Myanmar) ASEAN Foreign Ministers
emphasized the need for expeditiously working towards an early conclusion of
the Code of Conduct, which aims to ease tension in the disputed waters in the
West Philippine Sea.
This was raised during the ASEAN Foreign
Ministers Meeting (AMM) held at Sapphire Hall in Myanmar International
Convention Center I here Saturday attended by Foreign Affairs Secretary Albert
del Rosario and his counterparts.
In a statement released following the AMM, it
said that ASEAN Foreign Ministers expressed serious concerns over the ongoing
tensions in the West Philippine Sea.
"They urged all parties concerned, in
accordance with the universally recognized principles of international law,
including the 1982 UN Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), to exercise
self-restraint and avoid actions which could undermine peace and stability in
the area; and to resolve disputes by peaceful means without resorting to threat
or use of force,” the ASEAN Foreign Ministers’ Statement on the Current
Development in the South China Sea said.
The foreign ministers reaffirmed the importance
of maintaining peace and stability, maritime security, freedom of navigation in
and over-flight above the South China Sea as well as the ASEAN’s Six-Point
Principles on the South China Sea and the Joint Statement of the 15th
ASEAN-China Summit on the 10th Anniversary of the Declaration on the Conduct of
Parties in the South China Sea.
"They also called on all parties to the Declaration
on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea to undertake full and
effective implementation of the DOC in order to create an environment of mutual
trust and confidence,” the statement added.
The Philippines has overlapping territorial
claims in the West Philippines Sea along with Vietnam, Malaysia, Brunei,
Taiwan, and China.
The Philippines has submitted a formal pleading
to the United Nations arbitral tribunal seeking to invalidate China's claims
under the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea.
The AMM was chaired by His Excellency U Wunna
Maung Lwin, Union Minister for Foreign Affairs of Myanmar and attended by
foreign ministers and the representatives of the Foreign Minister of Thailand.
Foreign Affairs Secretary Albert del Rosario
also attended the 11th ASEAN Political and Security Community (APSC) Council
Meeting.
At the meeting, the ministers discussed the
developments in Sectoral Bodies under the ASEAN Political and Security Council,
the Implementation of Recommendations from the 7th Coordinating Conference for
the ASEAN Political-Security Community and expediting the implementation of the
remaining APSC action lines, which are under process of implementation of the
APSC blueprint.
In conjunction with the APSC, the 14th Meeting
of the ASEAN Coordinating Councilu was held where the ministers discussed the
preparations for the 24th ASEAN Summit, reports of the Secretary General on the
work of ASEAN and other reports submitted by the ASEAN Foundation. PND (jb)
Myanmar President Thein Sein welcomes President
Aquino, other ASEAN leaders
NAY PYI TAW, Myanmar) President Benigno S.
Aquino III and other leaders were welcomed Sunday morning by Myanmar President
U Thein Sein at the opening ceremony of the 24th Association of Southeast Asian
Nations (ASEAN) Summit here.
President Aquino, in a dark suit, was greeted by
President Thein Sein and wife, Daw Khin Khin Win, upon arrival at the Main
Lobby of the Myanmar International Convention Center for the opening ceremony.
The ASEAN Leaders’ Summit kicked off Saturday
with an evening welcome reception for the heads of states or governments and
their delegations hosted by President Thein Sein held at the convention center,
which is also the venue for the summit.
After the opening ceremony of the summit,
President Aquino and the other leaders of the 10-member association will
convene in plenary session.
At the plenary, they are expected to discuss the
progress of the implementation of the roadmap for an ASEAN Community, the initiative
for ASEAN Integration Work Plan II, and the Master Plan on ASEAN Connectivity.
The leaders will also exchange views on the
future of the ASEAN community, as well as external relations and future
directions.
After the plenary session, it will be followed
by the retreat session of the 24th ASEAN Summit, where current regional and
international issues will be discussed.
President Aquino will also join his counterparts
for the interface meetings with representatives of the ASEAN
Inter-Parliamentary Assembly, Civil Society Organizations, and ASEAN Youth.
Later in the day, the President will also
participate in the 10th Brunei-Indonesia-Malaysia-Philippines East ASEAN Growth
Area (BIMP-EAGA) Summit.
This is the first time Myanmar is hosting the
ASEAN Summit since it joined the bloc in 1997.
Emphasizing the importance of a united ASEAN,
“Moving Forward in Unity to a Peaceful and Prosperous Community” is the theme
for this year’s summit.
Established in 1967, the ASEAN community
includes Brunei Darussalam, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar,
Singapore, Thailand, Vietnam and the Philippines. PND (co)
Malacanang leaves it up to Legislative to decide
on repeal of 'no permit, no rally' law
Malacanang is leaving it up to members of
Congress to decide on how to act on the plan of one of its members to have the
no permit, no rally law repealed.
In a press conference aired over dzRB Radyo ng
Bayan, Deputy Presidential Spokesperson Abigail Valte said that members of
Congress have the jurisdiction to act on Bayan Muna Representative Neri
Colmenares’ call to repeal the no permit, no rally law.
“Siguro nasa kasamahan na nila sa Kongreso kung
gusto nilang amendahan yung panukala na yan,” Valte said.
“While the freedom of assembly is one of the
constitutional rights enshrined in the 1987 Philippine Constitution, even
Philippine jurisdiction recognizes there are reasonable rights when it comes to
place para hindi magkaroon ng disruption o gulo,” she added. PND (rck)
President Aquino thanks ASEAN member states for
helping in 'Yolanda' aftermath
NAY PYI TAW, Myanmar) President Benigno Aquino
III thanked fellow member leaders of the Association of Southeast Nations
(ASEAN) and their peoples for the assistance they rendered during the aftermath
of Typhoon "Yolanda" (Haiyan) last year.
President Aquino expressed his gratitude to the
ASEAN community during his intervention at the 24th ASEAN Summit Plenary held
at the Ruby Hall of the Myanmar International Convention Center here on Sunday.
"We may yet be some time away from the
realization of the ASEAN Community, but allow me to say that, in the aftermath
of the typhoon, the Philippines saw the full solidarity of our ASEAN neighbors,
as well as our other friends and partners in the international community, who
reached out to those affected. Your response in that time of dire need was
indeed overwhelming and inspiring,” he said.
President Aquino particularly thanked ASEAN
Secretary-General, His Excellency Le Luong Minh, for personally leading the
delivery of ASEAN relief goods to the city of Tacloban in November last year.
"Our gratitude also goes to the ASEAN
Coordinating Centre for Humanitarian Assistance on Disaster Management (AHA
Centre) for its timely assistance,” he added.
The President said Typhoon Haiyan displayed the
solidarity and clear commitment of the global community and ASEAN to help the
survivors recover from the typhoon’s devastation.
Given the massive destruction caused by Typhoon
Haiyan, President Aquino said it gives the Philippines opportunity to harness
solidarity and cooperation in making the country more resilient, in mitigating
and guarding against the effects of climate change and in building back better
communities affected by disaster.
Citing the Philippines as one of the ASEAN
countries most vulnerable to natural calamities, the President emphasized the
need for the full implementation of the ASEAN Agreement on Disaster Management
and Emergency Response and the strengthening of the AHA Centre.
"We specifically propose that ASEAN
maximize its standby arrangements for joint disaster relief and emergency
response operations and protocols among our individual disaster management
agencies,” he said.
He likewise urged ASEAN leaders to support the
work of the High Level Task Force and the ASEAN Coordinating Council Working
Group, which are tasked to analyze and recommend what must be accomplished or
amended by regional organization when it comes to disaster response.
With respect to addressing global climate
change, President Aquino said the ASEAN community should continue to urge
developed countries to follow through on their commitment to the United Nations
Framework Convention on Climate Change and to assist developing countries in
climate change adaptation.
"As we have deepened our engagements in
enhancing disaster relief and emergency response, so too must we exhibit utmost
cooperation in responding to the reality of global climate change. Let us work
together and find solutions that ensure that no other nation need suffer
through another Typhoon Haiyan,” he said. PND (jb)
Compensation for martial law human rights
victims will be completed within two years, says Palace
The Palace said it hopes that martial law human
rights victims will receive their compensation within two years or before
President Beningno S. Aquino III completes his term
.
“Umaasa po tayong mako-complete nila ‘yung
proseso (compensation for martial law human rights victims) sa loob ng dalawang
taon,” said Deputy Spokesperson Abigail Valte in a press briefing aired Sunday
over radio station dzRB Radyo ng Bayan.
Valte also assured the public that the 10
billion pesos worth of compensation fund for the victims remains intact.
“Ang alam ko po ay nasa Bureau of Treasury na po
‘yan at matagal na pong buo ang amount na ‘yan,” Valte’s reply to the question
whether the compensation fund remains intact.
The Deputy Spokesperson reiterated Malacanang’s
previous statement that Human Rights Claims Board (HRCB) head Lina Sarmiento
had their trust and confidence.
“Umaasa po tayong matutugunan ni Ginang
Sarmiento ang binigay na mandato ng Pangulo at ‘yung mandato rin po niya sa
ilalim ng batas,” said Valte.
Militant groups are questioning the appointment
of Sarmiento as head of the human rights board. Sarmiento is a retired police
general and the first female third level official that held a director rank.
Part of the mandate of Republic Act No. 10368 or
the Human Rights Victims Reparation and Recognition Act of 2013 is to give
compensation to the martial law human rights victims in the period of two
years. PND (ag)
Aquino hopes Bangsamoro Agreement will help
promote peace in ASEAN region
NAY PYI TAW, Myanmar) President Benigno Aquino
III shared the Philippine experience in the successful signing of the
Comprehensive Agreement on the Bangsamoro (CAB) hoping that it will serve as a
model to other ASEAN countries dealing with similar problems with separatists
groups.
In his intervention during the ASEAN Summit
Plenary held at the Ruby Hall of the Myanmar International Convention Center
here on Sunday, President Aquino stressed that the recent CAB signing motivates
the Philippines to share insights on peace, conflict resolution, and
reconciliation with ASEAN neighbors.
"The Philippines hopes that the
Comprehensive Agreement of the Bangsamoro adds to the body of experience that
can inform conflict-resolution practices in ASEAN moving forward,” he said.
"Peace in any part of the world redounds to
the benefit of all. As peace in the Bangsamoro lays the foundations of
stability, inclusivity, and progress in Mindanao, more doors of opportunity are
opened --- for the people of Mindanao, for the entire Philippines, and for
partners and friends who wish to contribute to development,” he said.
He noted that the success of the peace process
thus far contributes to ASEAN’s growing experience and best practices in the
promotion of a culture of peace and respect for diversity.
"Included in our work to establish a
strong, stable, and peaceful ASEAN Community is the task of building on the
values and best practices of our institutions in addressing intra-, inter-, and
regional conflicts. Peace is a fundamental concern of all nations; sharing best
practices then allows us to address problems and challenges more
comprehensively,” he said.
The President also took the opportunity to
express gratitude to fellow ASEAN countries who played important roles in
sealing a peace pact with the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) last March
27.
He thanked Malaysia, in particular, for
facilitating the negotiations between the Philippine government panel and the
MILF; as well as Brunei and Indonesia, for playing instrumental roles as
members of the International Monitoring Team.
In his statement, the President stressed the
hardships of civilians, especially the vulnerable ones such as mothers and
children in times of conflict, recounting the experience of MILF Chairman Al
Haj Murad Ebrahim and his family.
"The signing of the Framework Agreement on
the Bangsamoro was the first such occasion that Chairman Murad’s wife had ever
visited our capital, Metro Manila. Both of them had witnessed many years of
conflict—years during which Chairman Murad and his companions had to isolate
their loved ones in special communities to protect them from the ravages of
conflict,” he said.
"In these situations, whether for those
engaged in conflict or others, the paramount human interest, has always been to
keep families alive and healthy. For leaders like ourselves, the paramount
interest is very similar: to minimize, or even prevent, loss of life and
casualty, and to ensure that communities remain whole, and that development is
sustained,” he added.
In an embodiment of the Philippines' desire to
contribute to building peace in the regional community, President Aquino
discussed the Philippines’ hosting of the first Symposium of the ASEAN
Institute for Peace and Reconciliation on April 7 and 8.
"This is in line with the ASEAN Political
Security Community Blueprint, which sets out to establish ASEAN’s experiences
and best practices on peace, conflict management, and conflict resolution, as
well as to enhance cooperation among ASEAN think tanks on the subjects of
peace, conflict management, and conflict resolution,” he said.
He emphasized that the Philippines strongly
advocates a more proactive approach towards the pursuit of peace, freedom, and
stability.
"Our shared commitment must go beyond research
and capacity-building. Efforts must be directed towards consolidating the
narratives of peace in our region, and distilling its lessons to forge a
consensus and to institutionalize habits of peace-building,” he said.
"We believe that documenting ASEAN’s wealth
of experience in conflict resolution and preventive diplomacy can guide all of
us in building a stronger, more peaceful, and more stable ASEAN Community.” he
added.
Meanwhile, Myanmar President U Thein Sein,
during the ASEAN Summit opening ceremony, lauded the Philippines for the
successful signing of the CAB saying that the peace deal was a "great
achievement".
He likewise congratulated Malaysia, Indonesia
and Brunei, as well as the other ASEAN Member States who contributed towards
the CAB signing adding that the ASEAN nations extended full support for the
Philippines' efforts to achieve lasting peace in Mindanao. PND (jb)
