KUALA LUMPUR, April 27 -- The Philippines remains committed to work with Southeast Asian countries in the fight against extremism, terrorism, and crimes against humanity, Foreign Affairs Secretary Alfred del Rosario said.
“The Philippines is one with ASEAN in its commitment to a culture of peace, tolerance, mutual respect, and inclusiveness,” Secretary del Rosario said during his intervention at the ASEAN Foreign Ministers’ Meeting on Sunday.
Del Rosario stressed the country “remains absolutely steadfast in cooperating with ASEAN members, the United Nations and all other countries in confronting extremism and radical violence.”
The Foreign Affairs secetary also said the Philippines “condemns war crimes and crimes against humanity being perpetrated by ISIS.”
The Philippines has co-sponsored UN Security Council Resolution 2178 on Foreign Terrorist Fighters and supported the ASEAN Foreign Ministers’ statement on the Violence and Brutality Committed by Extremist Organizations in Iraq and Syria.
Del Rosario also said the country would contribute in the fight against extremism, terrorism, and crimes against humanity “by engaging or cooperating with other countries in the areas of information sharing, joint investigations, educational campaigns, humanitarian assistance to victims, restricting flow of funds intended to finance terrorism, supporting resolutions aimed at curbing terrorism, and enhancing local legislation to address terrorism.”
During his intervention, Secretary del Rosario also lauded the efforts of Malaysia, chairman of this year’s ASEAN, in shepherding the Global Movement of Moderates initiative.
A Declaration on the Global Movement of Moderates, a Malaysian initiative, is one of the declarations expected to be adopted by ASEAN leaders at the end of the two-day 26th ASEAN Summit.
The ASEAN summit, which began Sunday, will be held in Kuala Lumpur and Langkawi, under the theme “Our People, Our Community, Our Vision,” highlighting the importance of a united ASEAN.
ASEAN, formed in August 1967, groups Brunei Darussalam, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, Singapore, Thailand, Vietnam, and the Philippines. (PCOO/PND (co)