Defense Ministers from the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), and from ASEAN’s dialogue partners including United States Defense Secretary James Mattis, paid a courtesy call on President Rodrigo Duterte on Tuesday, October 24.
The President and the ministers discussed a wide range of issues from terrorism to illegal drugs.
In his message during the meeting in Clark, Pampanga, the President expressed gratitude to the ministers for their participation in the 11th ASEAN Defense Ministers Meeting (ADMM) and 4th ADMM-Plus in Clark.
He lauded the ministers for having a productive and fruitful discussion during the meeting, which are essential in promoting cooperation and peace and stability in the region.
After meeting with the 10 ASEAN Defense Ministers, President Duterte welcomed dialogue partners from Australia, China, India, Japan, New Zealand, South Korea, Russia, and the United States in a courtesy call after the recently concluded 11th ASEAN Defense Ministers’ Meeting (ADMM) and 4th ADMM-Plus at the ASEAN Convention Center in Clark, Pampanga on October 24, 2017.
Russian Defense Minister Gen. Sergei Shoigu, and Mattis also paid a courtesy call on the President.
On the fight against terrorism, Duterte relayed to the ministers that all combat operations in Marawi City had been terminated as all the remaining terrorists in the area had been neutralized.
The Chief Executive likewise expressed gratitude to countries which provided assistance to the Philippines in defeating the Maute terror group, such as China and Russia, which provided arms; and the US and Australia for their intelligence and military expertise. (with PND)