• Duterte to marines: Defend the Republic
• Phl-Vietnam ties seen to strengthen after Duterte visit
• President Duterte arrives in Vietnam for two-day official visit

In his remarks before the elite troops on Tuesday (September 27), Duterte said: “I am now calling you… to also fight drugs.” 


He stressed, however, that he is not encouraging them to take the law into their own hands.


Duterte promised to give the soldiers anything they want and need “to win a fight, to win a war, to win a battle, ibibigay ko sa inyo, walang problema.”

President Duterte also assured the troops that economic benefits “will come if there is a peaceful Philippines.”



Turning to the government’s peace efforts, the President emphasized that he is “not a wartime President. I am a President seeking peace for my people.”

During his dialogue with the Marines, Duterte reiterated his plan to seek closer ties with China and Russia. He announced that he will be visiting these countries soon to discuss trade and commerce.



“This Republic will rise, this Republic of the Philippines will continue to be great… We will survive on our own. We will fight our wars on our own and we will win as a country,” Duterte told the soldiers.PND

In his predeparture briefing at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) Terminal II in Pasay City, the President said he will work with Vietnam and the rest of the ASEAN in curtailing the proliferation of illegal drugs to secure a better future for the next generations.



“I am confident that, as we build on the outcomes of this visit, the relations between the Philippines and Vietnam will become even more stronger, pursued, as it has to be, with mutual respect, closer cooperation and deeper understanding,” the President said.



Duterte said that upon his return, he would report on the accomplishments of his visit.



Duterte stressed that the two-day official visit is important as the Philippines and Vietnam commemorate 40 years of diplomatic relations. Both countries also prepare to take leadership in the roles of the region in 2017 — the Philippines as chair of the ASEAN and Vietnam, as chair of Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC).



Duterte said that for the past 40 years, the Philippines and Vietnam have fostered a strong relationship built on a common desire towards achieving greater peace and prosperity, anchored on the basic tenets of sovereign equality, non-interference and peaceful settlement of disputes.

The President said he will also seek to identify emerging areas of partnership with the Vietnam President, particularly in the fields of maritime security and law enforcement.

“As maritime nations with rapidly developing economies, we acknowledge the convergence of our strategic interest. Broadening cooperation and collaboration between the Philippines and Vietnam and solidifying our strategic partnership to further strengthen our countries in the regions which we belong to,” he explained.

“I look forward to exchange views and explore opportunities further significantly improving our economic bilateral cooperation, including stronger partnership in economic, agriculture, defense, and maritime cooperation,” he added. PND

On Vietnam side, present were Chairman of the Presidential Office Dao Viet Trung, Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs Dang Dinh Quy, and Vietnamese Ambassador to the Philippines Truong Trieu Duong.



Duterte was accompanied on his trip by his official delegation: Foreign Affairs Secretary Perfecto Yasay, Trade Secretary Ramon Lopez, Justice Secretary Vitaliano Aguirre, National Security Adviser Hermogenes Esperon, Presidential Communications Office Secretary Martin Andanar, and Cabinet Secretary Leoncio Evasco. Senators Alan Peter Cayetano and Francis Escudero were also present.



On his first day, the President is scheduled to meet with the Filipino community.



Vietnam is home to at least 3,800 Filipinos mostly professionals such as engineers, teachers, garment industry managers and doctors.



There are more than 500 Filipinos who are expected to attend the event to meet and greet the newly-elected President.
 


Even Filipinos here are supportive of the President’s reform agenda particularly his intensified campaign against illegal drugs. 



“We will support our government in whatever way that we can especially if it’s for the betterment of our country,” Emmanuel Lopez, a member of the Filipino community based in Hanoi, said during an interview with reporters here prior to the President’s arrival.



Another overseas Filipino worker Jun Felix said that the anti-drug war of the President is for the benefit of the next generation. 



On the second day of the President’s trip, he is expected to lead a wreath-laying ceremony at the Monument of National Heroes and Martyrs.


He is also scheduled to meet with his Vietnamese counterpart President Tran Dai Quang at the Presidential Palace in Ba Dinh District.
 


The President is also scheduled to meet with Vietnam Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc and General Secretary of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of Vietnam Nguyen Phu Trong.



The visit will be capped with a dinner to be hosted by President Quang.



Vietnam is the third ASEAN-member country Duterte has visited since he assumed office last June 30.



The first was Laos when he attended the recent ASEAN Summit and the second was Indonesia where he had a one-day working visit. PND