NAIA Terminal 2, Pasay City
28 April 2015

President Benigno S. Aquino III arrived at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) Terminal 2 bearing good news after his attendance at the 26th Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Summit in Malaysia.

With the theme “Our People, Our Community, Our Vision”, President Aquino successfully fostered good relationship with the neighboring countries. He took the opportunity to voice the stand of the Philippines regarding the Spratlys issue. “Kaya naman isa po sa naging pakay natin sa ASEAN Summit ay ang publikong maihayag ang ating saloobin ukol sa nasabing isyu. Binalikan natin ang puno’t dulo ng usapin at inilatag kung ano ang maaaring gawing tugon bilang isang komunidad,” he said.

Also among the good news, President Aquino announced that the ASEAN leaders have decided to send assistance to Nepal after the massive earthquake that killed more than 4,000 people. “Di po ba’t kapag pinagsama ang kakayahan ng bawat bansa at nagbuklod ito para sa isang adhika, di hamak mas malaki ang magagawa?” he added.

While in Malaysia, the President had a meeting with Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung of Vietnam to advance the Philippines’ bilateral relations including the strengthening of defense and maritime cooperation, as well as trade expansion.

Lastly, President Aquino had the opportunity to talk with Indonesian President Joko Widodo and asked for clemency for Mary Jane Veloso, a Filipina that was sentenced to death in Indonesia.

“Matagal na nating ginagawa ang lahat upang tulungan siya, kabilang na ang pagsigurong maiibsan ang agam-agam niya at ng kaniyang pamilya. Patuloy ding sinisikap ng inyong gobyerno na maglatag ng mga hakbang upang maiwasan ang ganitong mga kaso na nasasangkot ang ating Overseas Filipino Workers,” he emphasized.

After the 26th ASEAN Summit, President Aquino attended the Brunei Darussalam-Indonesia-Malaysia-Philippines East ASEAN Growth Area (BIMP-EAGA) Summit.

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