NAIA Terminal 2, Pasay City
27 February 2014

President Benigno S. Aquino III was accorded departure honors as he boarded Philippine Airlines flight PR001 that will take him to Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia for a state visit from 27 February to 1 March 2014.

In his statement, the President said that he would take this opportunity to personally extend his appreciation to the Malaysian government for their valuable assistance and support to the devastated areas struck by super typhoon Yolanda, such as the sending of ten C-130 planes, the deployment of medical and humanitarian assistance teams, and the distribution of medicines and blankets to the victims.

“Malaki rin po ang ambag nila sa pagkakamit ng tunay at pangmatagalang kapayapaan sa Muslim Mindanao.  Sa kanilang suporta, napagkasunduan na natin ang masalimuot na mga annex sa ating Framework Agreement on the Bangsamoro, at ngayon nga po ay naghahanda na tayo sa pirmahan ng isang komprehensibong kasunduang pangkapayapaan,” President Aquino said.

The Chief Executive also emphasized that Malaysia remains to be one of the strongest allies of the Philippines in Southeast Asia.  “Kasama natin silang naninindigan sa isang mapayapa at makatuwirang resolusyon ng usapin sa teritoryo, sa ilalim ng United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea.  Mulat po sila na ang tunay at pangmatagalang stabilidad ay maaabot lamang kung tayo ay nakatuntong sa pundasyon ng dignidad, respeto at ng patas na pagsunod sa batas,” the President added.

Joining President Aquino in his Malaysian trip are Foreign Affairs Secretary Albert Del Rosario, Finance Secretary Cesar Purisima, Trade and Industry Secretary Gregory Domingo, Cabinet Secretary Jose Rene Almendras, Communications Secretary Herminio Coloma, Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process Teresita Deles and Presidential Management Staff Secretary Julia Andrea Abad.

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