President Rodrigo Duterte is set to enjoy foreign support for his drug war when he hosts Southeast Asian leaders at a Manila summit this week, observers say.
Duterte’s foreign policy is also expected to be in focus at the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) event, which has the Philippines warming up to China, with which it has a territorial dispute.
It will be closely watched how Duterte, who has not minced words against the United States and the United Nations, handles hosting his first major diplomatic event.
“This will be a very interesting time. Everyone thinks he is a very charismatic leader, he speaks off the cuff,” a Southeast Asian diplomat involved in the summit’s preparations told AFP.
Support for drug war
The mood will likely be far calmer in Manila for the annual event starting this week, with Duterte to enjoy drug war backing from most of his guests, according to observers.
Lauro Baja, a former Philippine foreign undersecretary and ambassador to the UN, said ASEAN leaders would back Duterte’s drug war while in Manila.
“I expect them to support the efforts of the Philippines to curb the drug menace, period. Without talking about how we achieve that,” Baja told AFP.
Baja said that leaders would observe a long-standing ASEAN policy of non-interference in each others’ affairs.
Duterte approach to China
Meanwhile, Duterte’s strategy in dealing with China, with which it has rival claims in the South China Sea, will be under close scrutiny.
President Duterte has adopted a more pragmatic approach, rejecting the hardline stance of his predecessor, Benigno Aquino III.
Duterte has said he will not use ASEAN to pressure China.
ASEAN and China are also working on a “framework” agreement for a code of conduct on the South China Sea, with Vietnam, Malaysia and Brunei other claimants.
The summit will take place under heavy security following a series of recent clashes with Islamic militants in the central and southern parts of the country.
About 40,000 security forces have been assigned to guard the event, authorities said. (Agence France Presse)