NAIA Terminal II, Pasay City
26 April 2015

In fostering the Philippines’ relations with neighboring countries, President Benigno S. Aquino III departed for Malaysia to attend the 26th Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Summit.

Among the proposed discussions the President stressed in his speech were the initiatives to improve trade and commerce, strengthen people-to-people ties, address the effects of climate change and establish security in the region.

“Ididiin po natin: Kailangan ang ganap na kaayusan upang tuluyan tayong umarangkada sa kaunlaran; anumang di-pagkakaunawaan ay marapat na tugunan sa mahinahon at mapayapang paraan,” he said.

President Aquino added that he will also take the opportunity to talk with President Joko Widodo concerning the case of Mary Jane Veloso, the Filipina who is facing death sentence in Indonesia for a drug-related offense.

After the ASEAN Summit, he will participate in the Brunei Darussalam-Indonesia-Malaysia-Philippines East ASEAN Growth Area (BIMP-EAGA) Summit. Transport connectivity and food security are some of the agenda included in this event.

“Batid nating kapag mas marami ang nag-aambagan, kapag mas maayos ang samahan, at mas matibay ang pagkakaisa, mas matatayog pang tagumpay ang ating makakamit,” he ended.

* * *