Palace expresses support for Chile after Latin American country’s cancelation of APEC event amid anti-gov’t protests

Riot police clash with demonstrators during a protest against the government’s economic policies in Santiago, on October 31, 2019. Chile pulled out of hosting two major international summits Wednesday as it struggled to restore order amid clashes between protestors and security forces that have left at least 20 dead. President Sebastian Pinera said “common sense” had dictated the decision to withdraw from the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation summit and the Cop 25 climate change conference. (Photo by Martin Bernetti / AFP)

(Eagle News)–The Palace has expressed support for Chile after the Latin American country canceled the APEC Economic Leaders Meeting that was scheduled this month.

President Rodrigo Duterte had confirmed his attendance in the Asian Pacific Economic Cooperation event.

He was supposed to have been accompanied by Foreign Affairs Secretary Teodoro Locsin Jr. and Trade Secretary Ramon Lopez.

“The Office of the President therefore expresses the country’s support for Chile as it made the hard decision of cancelling its hosting of the AELM, taking into consideration the interest and concerns of the Chilean people, as its country endured massive street protests that was propelled by a civil disobedience campaign over metro transit hikes,” Presidential spokesperson Salvador Panelo said in a statement.

Panelo said the meeting was important as the “majority of the economic and commercial transactions of the Philippines are with economies belonging to APEC.”

“In particular, they account for 84% of the total trade of the Philippines worldwide, 82% total exports worldwide, and 85% of its total imports. APEC economies likewise account for 64% of foreign direct investment into the Philippines, and 83% of tourist arrivals,” he said.

He added “56% of Filipinos abroad call the APEC region their home, and our overseas Filipino workers in this region account for the 57% of the total annual remittances the we receive in the country.”

As such, he said there are 33 Philippine government agencies “engaged in the APEC process.”

Even then, he said “we will continue to work to ensure our peoples enjoy the benefits of deeper regional economic integration.”

He also thanked Chile, which he said has  has worked hard in “advocating for inclusive and sustainable growth in the region, such as by prioritizing women empowerment and promoting micro, small, and medium scale enterprises.”

Chile is home to around 800 Filipinos.

Protestors have taken to the streets for weeks, protesting what they said were the anti-poor economic policies of the government, among others.