Duterte: Seize the opportunity to ‘build a new order’ amid the pandemic

MANILA – President Rodrigo Duterte on Tuesday urged state leaders and heads of international organizations to seize the opportunity to “build a new order” amid the coronavirus pandemic, as countries around the world continue to fight due to the crisis. of health.

At the 2020 Aqaba Process Meeting online, which was hosted by King Abdullah II of Jordan, Duterte called for “more openness, deeper solidarity, and stronger cooperation between nations” to drive economic recovery and combat terrorism and violent extremism, according to Malacañang. .

“The repercussions, as we are seeing now, are daunting and far-reaching. We have economies in recession, institutions in crisis and societies in a state of uncertainty, “Duterte said, adding that the Philippines continues to face the threat of terrorism amid the pandemic.

“COVID-19 has not quarantined terrorists.”

The president pledged to “intensify” the country’s cooperation with its Southeast Asian neighbors, United Nations member states and other international partners.

He said the COVID-19 pandemic “forces us to break with the past.”

“Let us seize this historic opportunity to build a new order: one that is safer, just and humane, where there is no place for the barbarism of terrorists and extremist forces,” Duterte said.

The Philippines previously suffered a double attack in Jolo, Sulu in August, where 14 people were killed and dozens more injured.

No one has claimed responsibility for the attacks, but Army Lieutenant Colonel Ronaldo Mateo said the Abu Sayyaf group, a loose network of Islamic militants, was “most likely” behind the blasts.