Page 29 - NOVEMBER 2017 'A' ISSUE

November 2017 – No. 21 • UK & Europe Edition NEWS www.hello-philippines.com 29

2NDDUTERTE TRIP TO JAPAN ‘MOST PRODUCTIVE,
ENGAGING’; TACKLED REGIONAL HOT SPOTS
MANILA – President Rodrigo Roa all the legal treaties there claiming this

Duterte returned to the country Tuesday and claiming that. But the problem,

night from what he called a “productive, I said, is i do not want to criticize the

engaging” trip to Japan, confident that big powers now because it was really of

besides the economic bonanza, his talks their own making,” Duterte said.
Joint drills possible. According
with Tokyo’s leader will advance efforts

to ease regional tensions, particularly to Duterte, Philippines and Japan

in the Korean peninsula and the South will intensify defense and security

China Sea. cooperation to combat terrorism, violent

The Korean issue and freedom extremism and transnational crimes.

of navigation were among those he “We will strive to make our waters free President Duterte and Prime Minister President Duterte meets with
Abe seal their two nations’ affirmation Emperor Akihito, whom he failed to
tackled with Japanese Prime Minister and open to our peoples so that they of friendship with a handshake during see on his previous trip to Tokyo on
Duterte’s second visit to Tokyo, Oct. 30, account of a death in the royal family.
Shinzo Abe, Duterte said. The raising of can enjoy our rich natural maritime 2017. Malacanang photo Malacanang photo

the matter was timely, given continuing resources,” President Duterte said. Michiko, whom he failed to see on an Japan’s trillion-yen or assistance pledge “We encouraged Japan to explore
earlier visit because of a death in the of close to $9 billion. He said these cover more opportunities to invest in
concern over whether Beijing’s Mounting joint drills is a big royal family. “huge-impact, social infrastructure the Philippines, including in steel
projects that our country needs to manufacturing, agribusiness and IT and
expanded projections was impairing possibility, according to the President: He also witnessed the signing of sustain economic growth and improve creative services,” he added.
business agreements between Japanese the quality of life of our people.”
freedom of navigation in the waters “Maybe coast guard. The coast guard and Filipino companies worth $6 President Duterte also said he looks
billion. He said the Japanese Prime Minister forward to welcoming Prime Minister
where 40 percent of global maritime there is purely civilian. It belongs to has committed to “give flesh” to Japan’s Abe and other leaders to the Philippines
As a way of showing appreciation special assistance program. in the upcoming 31st ASEAN Summit
trade is routed. the department of transportation. and letting them get some respite, and Related Summits.
the President also brought along on “I am committed to [working]
Duterte stressed, however, that at And coast guard is the component of his trip the top commanders who led closely with him to ensure that projects The President said he was humbled
government security forces in the five- proceed soonest and it will be Done, by the singular honor of meeting with
the moment, dialogue is still the best enforcing the laws . . . applicable in the month battle to liberate Marawi from Done, Done,” Duterte said. Emperor Akihito in Tokyo and conveyed
ISIS-inspired terrorists. the Philippines’ deep appreciation,
way to go. territorial waters of Japan. Coast guard Peace in Mindanao. The President gratitude for Japan’s continuing
Support for Build Build Build. In also thanked Japan for affirming its friendship and support for the peace
“I cannot imagine myself getting lang po [only] ..” his arrival statement, Duterte said he commitment to the Philippines’ pursuit and development goals of the country.
and Mr. Abe discussed concrete, time- of a just and lasting peace in Mindanao.
involved in a violent and almost a Besides PM Abe, Duterte met bound and specific ways to further “We want our relations with Japan
intensify bilateral cooperation between He said Japan would be the nation’s to grow even more. Japan is our friend
suicide action. We are — you can read Japanese Emperor Akihito and Empress Philippines and Japan. partner in rebuilding Marawi as “the closer than a brother; Japan treats us
center of moderation and tolerance.” as a sovereign equal,” he said, adding
r10e5paturniadtoecdumefnrtoemd OFUWAEs “On top of our agenda is vital that the Philippines would work with
support for the centerpiece projects He also said that the industry leaders Japan in building the “golden age” for
under the Philippines’ Build, Build, in Tokyo signed business agreements the strategic partnership. n Maricel Halili,
Build program,” the President said. valued at six billion dollars, more than
thrice the amount sealed business News5 | PNA | InterAksyon | November 1, 2017,
The Chief Executive added that agreements during his first visit to
more projects would be rolled off under Japan in 2016. 4:24 PM

Duterte backs Inday Sara’s
bid for local talks with Reds
A total of 105 OFWs arrived at the According to the Overseas Workers MANILA – President Rodrigo body tasked to convince the local rebel of office by resuming talks with
Ninoy Aquino International Airport Welfare Administration, there are
(NAIA) on Wednesday after spending 120 other distressed OFWs left at the Duterte said he supports efforts of his command to agree to talks in light of the the communists but later scrapped
years being undocumented in the POLO shelter in Abu Dhabi that they
United Arab Emirates, GMA News’ are trying to repatriate before the daughter Sara Carpio, the mayor of slim chance of resuming formal peace negotiations and ordered the military
Trisha Zafra reported on Balitanghali. holiday season.
Davao City, to seek local peace talks negotiations between the government to go on the offensive after both sides
The OFWs who arrived via Philippine Most of the repatriates were forced
Airlines flight no. PR657 were victims to seek overseas employment through with the New People’s Army even as and the National Democratic Front, traded charges of violating each other’s
of illegal recruitment or were abused by illegal recruiters to help their families,
their employers while working in Abu and were underpaid and overworked he renewed calls on the rebels to lay which represents the communists. unilateral ceasefires.
Dhabi. once they arrived in the Middle East.
down their arms. Duterte, who has styled himself Since then, Duterte has refused to
Sara Arriola, Foreign Affairs OFWs had to escape their employers
Undersecretary for Migrant Workers and seek refuge with the Abu Dhabi Carpio recently formed a local a leftist and socialist, began his term resume peace talks until the rebels
Affairs, said this was the biggest batch Philippine Overseas Labor Office,
of distressed OFWs repatriated in where most had to wait for years before agree to an indefinite bilateral truce,
2017 under the Balik Pilipinas, Balik they were repatriated.
Kabuhayan program. which the communists reject saying it
The Department of Foreign Affairs
Prior to this, 700 OFWs with similar and OWWA sponsored the flights of the would be tantamount to surrender.
cases were sent home in batches from OFWs.
Abu Dhabi. Returning Tuesday from a working
Both agencies are ready to
Each OFW will receive $100 in coordinate with other government visit to Japan, Duterte said, as he has
immediate cash assistance and may agencies to bring the OFWs’ recruiters
apply for a P15,000 livelihood assistance to justice should they choose to pursue done in the past, that he has no plans
grant as part of the government’s legal action. n Rie Takumi, KBK, GMA News |
reintegration program. of giving up on the prospect of resumed
Published November 1, 2017 2:08 pm
negotiations with the communists.

“We can talk continuously with the

Left,” he said. “I am not about ready

to give up everything and anything in

the—in the, in the altar of peace for our

country.”

He also repeated his invitation

for them to give up, offering jobs and

housing. n Maricel Halili, News5 | November

1, 2017, 12:39 PM