President Marcos has departed Manila to participate in the 44th and 45th Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) summits in Lao People’s Democratic Republic (PDR) where he is expected to advance the country's stand resolving regional disputes.
READ MORE: https://mb.com.ph/2024/10/8/marcos-leaves-for-laos-to-join-asean-summit
READ MORE: https://mb.com.ph/2024/10/8/marcos-leaves-for-laos-to-join-asean-summit
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00:00House Speaker Martin Romualdez, members of the cabinet, and those who are accompanying
00:11us and those who will be holding the fort back home.
00:16First Lady Luis Araneta Marcos, Pasay District Representative Antonino Calixto, Pasay City
00:25Mayor Imelda Calixto Rubiano, AFP Chief of Staff General Romeo Browner and the Major
00:35Service Commanders, and Philippine National Police Chief General Romel Marbil, Philippine
00:42Coast Guard Commandant Admiral Ronnie Hill Gaban, my fellow workers in government, ladies
00:49and gentlemen, good afternoon.
00:51I depart today for Vientiane, Lao People's Democratic Republic, to attend the 44th and
01:0045th ASEAN Summits and related summits at the invitation of the Prime Minister of Lao
01:07PDR, Sonaksay Sifandon.
01:11The annual ASEAN Summits are essential for the Philippines to discuss the issues confronting
01:17ASEAN countries on geopolitical matters and also on functional cooperation.
01:25In line with the theme of the ASEAN Chair this year on Enhancing Connectivity and Resilience,
01:32the ASEAN leaders will explore how we can promote regional connectivity amongst ASEAN
01:37member states, as well as to strengthen our resilience to promote sustainable development
01:43and inclusive growth.
01:45I will also be participating in meetings with ASEAN's external partners.
01:50These engagements pave the way to advance cooperation in areas such as food and energy
01:56security, trade and investment, supply chain resilience, MSMEs, and addressing the impacts
02:03of climate change and more.
02:06We will also be discussing international issues that impact beyond the region, including the
02:12West Philippine Sea, the situation in Myanmar, conflict in Ukraine, and the Middle East
02:18as well, among other important regional and international issues.
02:24As we continue to grapple with sharpening regional tensions, including the recent dangerous
02:30incidents in the West Philippine Sea, I intend to champion our advocacies in promoting an
02:36open, inclusive, and rules-based international order.
02:41And for the peaceful resolution of any disputes in accordance with international law.
02:47This Administration will continue to ensure that our constructive and deepening engagements
02:53with ASEAN, our dialogue partners, and stakeholders serve our national interests and the well-being
03:01of the Filipino people.
03:03As we speak, I think of our Filipino Kababayan who are affected by the increasing tensions
03:09in the Middle East.
03:11I wish to reassure the public that the Philippine Government is doing everything it can to ensure
03:17the safety of over 40,000 Filipino nationals in Lebanon and in Israel, and to bring them
03:24home so that they have a place that they can feel safe in, so long as they ask to come home.
03:33I am glad to report that no Filipino has been reported injured in the crisis that we hear
03:40about in the news, and to the waves of attacks against Hezbollah targets in the past few
03:46days and the consequent Iranian reprisal against Israel.
03:51Our embassies have been coordinating with the Filipino community on this matter and
03:56working on securing exit papers and transporting for those returning, transportation for those
04:03returning.
04:04Of the 1,500 initial applicants for repatriation from Lebanon, a third have already gone home,
04:13while another third, around 500, are still having their papers processed.
04:20The DFA will expedite this and OA will be chartering the flights to bring them home.
04:27For the month of October, the DMW and OA will be bringing home at least 162 distressed
04:34OFWs from Israel.
04:37Once they return to the Philippines, the DMW and OA are ready to provide assistance to them.
04:44To our fellow Filipinos in Lebanon and Israel, our government is ready to meet your needs.
04:53We hope that you will avail yourselves of our repatriation program while flights are available.
05:00In the meantime, heed the advisories of the Philippine Embassy and the Lebanese and Israeli governments.
05:07I expect the Secretaries of the DFA and the DMW and the Administrator of OA to report
05:14to me with updates daily.
05:18The Philippines urges all parties to refrain from escalating the violence and to work towards
05:24a peaceful resolution of the conflict.
05:27We emphasize the need to adhere to international humanitarian law, especially the principles
05:33of proportionality and distinction in response to security threats, and to ensure the protection
05:41of civilians at all times.
05:44The Philippines will always stand for the principles of international law and the safety
05:49of Filipinos in the Philippines and overseas.
05:53Maraming salamat at magandang hapon sa inyong lahat.
06:14For more UN videos visit www.un.org