Amid much talk about what the Chairman’s Statement of President Rodrigo Duterte in the Association of South East Asian Nations (ASEAN) would or should contain, the leader expounded on the history and mission-vision of the ASEAN, spoke on realizing aspirations of the people, achieving a drug-free ASEAN, eliminating security threats and ensuring economic development in the region in his opening speech in the 30th ASEAN Summit on August 29.
Relatively new to hearing would be the emphasis on respect for independence and sovereignty among nations.
“On August 8, 1967, the Founding Fathers of ASEAN laid the foundation of an organization anchored on the importance of unity, solidarity, and cooperation,” he said as he saluted the 50th year of the establishment of the ASEAN.
“The cornerstones form part of time-honored principles of international law: Mutual respect for the independence, sovereignty, equality, territorial integrity, and national identity of all nations and non-interference in the internal affairs of one another,” Duterte continued in the beginning.
He would go on to speak about the universal aspirations of the people of ASEAN for their rights and welfare to be protected and promoted, as part of the Philippines’ chairmanship’s core priority of building a people-oriented and people-centered ASEAN.
The other core priorities were maintaining a peaceful and stable region, cooperating in maritime security, advancing inclusive and innovative-[led] growth, promoting ASEAN’s resiliency, and promoting ASEAN as a model for regionalism and as a global player.
Before he wrapped up his speech, he scored the importance of respect for independence and sovereignty among the 10-nation group and all other bilateral relations.
“This year, we are commemorating milestones with four of our dialogue partners – the 40th anniversary of dialogue relations with Canada, the European [Union], and the United States of America (US), and the 25th anniversary of relations with India. We are also commemorating the 20th anniversary of the ASEAN Plus Three. “
“These are relations that are valued. But they can be much more valuable and stronger if we learn to respect each other’s independence and treat each other as sovereign equals. “
“Our engagement with Dialogue Partners allowed us to set the table for meaningful discussions on maintaining peace and stability, the pursuit of development goals, the peaceful resolution of disputes, and the promotion of our peoples’ welfare. Let me say again, relations bear fruit when they are based on mutual respect and benefit. Dialogue relations can be made more productive and constructive if the valued principle of non-interference in the internal affairs of ASEAN Member States is observed.”
Shift to a non-confrontational Duterte
Duterte read his prepared opening speech in the 30th ASEAN Summit.
Last year, in the 29th ASEAN Summit in Laos, Duterte surpised the delegates and the rest of the world in an unprecedented confrontation of world superpower US amid a gathering of prescribed poise and savoir faire.
Rebuffing what he thought to be meddling the US, Duterte veered away from a prepared speech and instead showed a picture of the killings by American soldiers in the American campaign to colonize and pacify the Philippines at the start of the 20th century.
“This is my ancestor they killed. Why now we are talking about human rights,” said Duterte reportedly, while holding the picture, on September 9, 2016.
Media were not allowed to cover the closed door meeting and had heard only from the delegates in the room. Then-US President Barrack Obama was present when Duterte gave his speech.
In a September 5 press conference before he boarded his plane to Laos for the ASEAN Summit, Duterte rattled away at Obama in reaction to the latter’s comments about the war on drugs in the Philippines.
“Wala akong pakialam sa kanya (I don’t care about him). Who is he? When, as a matter of fact, at the turn of the century, before the Americans left the Philippines in the pacification campaign of the Moro in this island, there were about – 6 million ang population ng Moro (the Moros had a population of 6 million). How many died? Six hundred. Answer that question and give the apology, I will answer it.”
Independent foreign policy
Duterte said that will pursue relations with various countries and not just the United States (US), the Philippine government warming up to China and Russia since he took office.
Coming home from the 29th ASEAN Summit last year, he said that he will pursue an independent foreign policy and reject any attempts of intervention by foreign governments.
“We will observe and I must insist – I repeat, I must insist – on the time honored principles of sovereign equality, non-interference and commitment to the peaceful settlement of disputes to best serve our people and protect the interests of our country,” Duterte said on September 10, 2016.
The 1987 Constitution enshrines this very imperative of Duterte. It says on the matter that, “The State shall pursue an independent foreign policy. In its relations with other states, the paramount consideration shall be national sovereignty, territorial integrity, national interest and the right to self-determination.”
Various progressive organizations like BAYAN welcomed this statement of Duterte and later urged the president to “walk the talk.”
