Page 3 - 2017 JUL -DEC KAAKBAY

3July to December
2017

PH Independent Foreign Policy Thrust Explained in Secretary Cayetano NY Media Event

At the sidelines of his UN General Assembly
participation, Secretary Alan Peter Cayetano shared

President Rodrigo Duterte’s Philippine foreign policy
thrust at a media event with Filipino-American members of
the press held at the Philippine Center in New York last 20
September 2017.

He clarified that an independent foreign policy
essentially means being friends to all and enemies to none.
Under this policy the main consideration will be the interests
and welfare of the Filipino people.

The Secretary also mentioned that the President has
instructed him to give priority to improving the lives of Secretary Alan Peter Cayetano (seated, center) thanks the members of the Filipino
-American media for connecting the 3.5 million Filipino-Americans in the US at a
Overseas Filipino Workers. He added that the Department of Presser at the Philippine Center in New York last 20 September. Also present were
Foreign Affairs, along with other government agencies, is (seated, from left) Vice Consul Khrystina Corpuz Popov, Consul General Ma.
tasked to protect the rights, welfare, and ensuring the Theresa Dizon-De Vega, DFA Undersecretary Enrique Manalo, Consul Armand
convenience of Filipinos abroad – including facilitation of Talbo. (Photo by NYPCG)

consular documents, repatriation, immigration assistance,

and legal advice. To this end, he announced that the budget proposal for Assistance to Nationals in 2018 was increased

from P400 Million to P1 Billion, and some policies are under review to enable a more expeditious delivery of services.

Lastly, he touched on the economic aspect of diplomacy, acknowledging the growth potential of the Philippines and
the value of maximizing bilateral and multilateral partnerships available to the country.

In line with this, he reported that the President had ordered the Philippine
Economic Team members to aggressively promote trade with possible partners, and
strengthen infrastructure and policies to support business in the country. The
Secretary acknowledged the effect of the war on drugs and human rights on the
economy, on which he noted that the President’s efforts are being made to protect the
lives of all 105 million Filipinos.

Other issues discussed with media touched on the West Philippine Sea;

relations with the United States and with the European Union; the tension in the

Secretary Cayetano with Undersecretary Manalo Korean Peninsula; foreign development assistance; the statistics and balanced
and Consul General De Vega (photo by NYPCG) narrative on the campaign against drugs; extrajudicial killings; and the
commemoration of the anniversary of Martial Law.

Philippines Stands Firm in Fight VS Crime, Corruption and Drugs in Asia Society Forum in New York

Foreign Affairs Secretary Alan Peter S. Cayetano
engaged in a “no holds barred” public discussion at the Asia
Society Policy Institute in New York where he addressed issues
involving the Philippines, particularly the war against illegal
drugs, terrorism and corruption.

The Secretary spoke before an international audience
on 22 September, and gamely answered all their questions in
the open forum that was moderated by former Australian Prime
Minister Kevin Rudd.

Dealing first with the “Elephant in the room”, Secretary

Cayetano discussed the Duterte Administration's campaign

against illegal drugs. Secretary Alan Cayetano delivers a talk at the Asia Society

“We refuse to just watch and do nothing as the Philippines becomes a narco state and as we lose a whole generation
to narcotics,” Cayetano said.

In his remarks, Secretary Cayetano pointed out that it is narcotics, and not the government's war against illegal drugs

that has eroded the rule of law in the Philippines.
(Continue to page 4)