AVAO CITY — President Rodrigo Duterte arrived at Vientiane, Laos Monday evening to attend his first international conference as Philippine president.
During his pre-departure message at the Davao International Airport Monday afternoon, September 5 Duterte said he will take the opportunity to discuss regional issues with the Association of Southeast Asian Nation member states and dialogue partners including the peace and security of the region.
“Recent events have shown that there are elements out there who seek to sow terror and wreak havoc in our society. We remain firm in our resolve to combat terrorism in all its forms and manifestations,” he said.
“We remain committed to do our utmost to protect our citizens. I will use the opportunity for meeting with ASEAN leaders and ASEAN dialogue partners to seek better support of regional efforts to address terrorism and violent extremism,” he said.
Duterte said terrorism and violent extremism is a global concern and vowed that the country will do its part to work with its partners in addressing this issue.
Duterte, who served as mayor here for 23 years, signed on Monday, a proclamation declaring a state of national emergency on account of lawless violence.
The president has declared a state of lawless violence hours after the deadly blast in Davao City last Friday night that claimed at least 14 lives and wounded more than 60.
Executive Secretary Salvador Medialdea said the proclamation was due to the acts of terrorism in the country, including the kidnappings and beheadings of the Abu Sayyaf group and the deadly blast in Davao.
He also called on the renewed cooperation of the ASEAN members for a “drug-free ASEAN community.”
Duterte reiterated that his anti-drug campaign will continue and that he does not care what others would say about it.
He said he will continue the campaign until the time he can proclaim that the Philippines is drug-free.
“The campaign against drugs will continue. Plenty will be killed until the last pusher is out of the streets. Until the last manufacturer is killed, we will continue and I will continue. And I don’t give a s*** to anybody observing my behavior,