Philippines to seek ASEAN support in terror fight

By Hader Glang

ZAMBOANGA CITY, the Philippines

President Rodrigo Duterte has announced he will seek support from member countries of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) in addressing terrorism, as his ongoing battle with Abu Sayyaf militants continues in the south of the country.

The Philippine Daily Inquirer quoted Duterte as saying in Davao City on Monday that he would use the summit as an opportunity “to seek better support for regional efforts to address terrorism and violent extremism”.

“Recent events have shown that there are elements out there that seek to sow terror and wreak havoc in our society,” he said, asking “every Filipino to do his and her part for the sake of our country.”

Speaking to reporters following Friday's deadly blast at a night market in Davao that left 14 people dead and 71 others injured, Duterte stressed he wanted to end the Abu Sayyaf threat, but warned of consequences.

“I am calling on the nation to prepare for reprisals. There will be sacrifices to be made, but we have to address this problem once and for all,” he said

Duterte is set to arrive in Laos' capital Vientiane for the ASEAN meeting late Monday.

Outside of Duterte's battle against terror, the Philippines is pushing for a drug-free ASEAN, respect for the rule of law and a legally-binding code of conduct in the South China Sea, where it is involved in an ongoing territorial quarrel with China.

At the end of the summit Thursday, Laos will hand over chair of ASEAN to the Philippines.