Aquino to push human rights, security initiatives at Asean summit

MANILA, Philippines—President Aquino and other Filipino officials, who will attend the 18th Asean Summit next weekend, will advocate the country’s initiatives in human rights, and peace and security, a Department of Foreign Affairs official said on Tuesday.

Mr. Aquino is scheduled to fly to Jakarta later this week to attend the 18th Asean Summit on May 7 and May 8, and the 7th Brunei, Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines-East Asian Growth Area Leaders’ Summit also on May 8.

Assistant Secretary Victoria Bataclan, in a news briefing in Malacañang, said the country’s initiatives in the summit also include Asean connectivity, the attainment of the Millenium Development Goals, disaster management, protection of migrant workers and biodiversity.

Bataclan also said there are expected discussions as well on the oil crisis and the implications in the region of the death of al- Qaida leader Osama Bin Laden.

“The President will particularly highlight the following: the Philippines strong support for the drafting of an Asean Declaration on Human Rights; [and] the effective and full implementation of the Declaration of Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea,” Bataclan said.

Mr. Aquino will also highlight the drafting of an Asean Convention on Trafficking in Persons, the implementation of the Master Plan on Asean Connectivity especially the feasibility studies on the Asean roll-on roll-off network and short sea shipping and the extension of the Asean Gas Pipeline, and the continued support for the Asean Center for Biodiversity in Laguna.

Bataclan said there are already firm schedules for bilateral meetings with the leaders of Laos and Cambodia. A bilateral meeting with Vietnam is being finalized, she added.