(Eagle News) — President Rodrigo Duterte formally opened the 30th Association of Southeast Asian Nations Summit with a speech that, among others, called for a drug-free region.
“With political will and cooperation, it can be dismantled. It can be destroyed before it destroys society,” he said in his opening speech before the heads of state and high-ranking government officials of the 10 member-nations of the regional bloc.
Duterte also emphasized independence, non-interference in affairs, mutual respect and territorial integrity in the region, which he said was becoming better and stronger.
“It is time for ASEAN to finally assert, with conviction, its position in the international arena,” he said.
He also said the Philippines would do its part in helping ASEAN member-nations that are in need, as he recalled their own timely assistance when the Philippines was in need.
