In a meeting earlier with the Filipino community in Jakarta, President Duterte stressed the need to combat piracy in the high seas between the Philippines, Indonesia and Malaysia. “How can we respect that?” he asked. “I never made that statement, you can check it out, check it out”.
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“We share the deep concern over trade in illicit and illegal drugs and its impact on our society”.
“We can make it clear that if the chase begins in Indonesia and continues in global waters, and inside Philippine waters, they can go ahead and blast them off”, said the firebrand leader, relating what he told President Joko Widodo at the recently concluded Asean and East Asia summits in Laos.
“We have agreed to cooperate on prevention, and the arrest and prosecution of terror actors in our regions”.
“In the Philippines, it’s not allowed too, that’s why I said that, maybe there are sharks around and just feed them to the sharks”.
Duterte said his meeting with Widodo was productive and fruitful and he expressed appreciation for Indonesia’s abiding support to the Philippine government “as we move forward with our peace processes”.
Both leaders viewed with grave concern the threat of terrorism and violent extremism.
“The Philippines holds its relation with Indonesia as one that is truly valued”, he said. “Indonesia is not only a friend but a brother [to us]”, Duterte said.
Ang said he is planning to set up a “Taiwan Desk” to help investors deal with any problems and disputes they might encounter. He said they discussed issues concerning bilateral cooperation on medical and health services, agriculture and shipbuilding.
But he stressed anew that he was not responsible for the extrajudicial killings, the reason why he spoke about human rights in Laos.
“Certainly, the ties that bind the Philippines and Indonesia are long and enduring”.
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Duterte also said he has the back of police officers conducting legitimate operations against drug suspects. The first is resolving issues related to the Indonesian hajj pilgrims detained in the Philippines. Merdeka Palace is the official residence of the Indonesian President.
