The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) said the US State Department
officials are expected to tackle with their Philippine counterparts at the
sidelines of the ASEAN meetings the security situation in Marawi City,
addressing the global threat of terrorism and increasing Philippine-US economic
and people-to-people engagement.
“These discussions are all aimed at strengthening the old friendship
between the two countries,” it said in a statement.
The DFA also understood that it was part of the duty of government
officials to talk about human rights, not only with the Philippines but with
the rest of the world.
“…Because they are accountable to their Congress and their press as
they advance their values and interests. We share the belief that no country
has a perfect human rights situation,” it said.
The DFA pointed out that discussions on the issue of human rights are
always included in the country’s engagements with foreign governments, particularly
with Western democracies.
It stressed the Philippines is the oldest democracy in Asia and
“respect for human rights is a shared valued especially with its treaty ally,
the United States.”
“We welcome the opportunity to address their concerns and correct the
perceptions they may have gleaned from exaggerated media reports,” the DFA
added.
The Philippines is hosting the annual Association of Southeast Asian
Nations (ASEAN) Regional Forum on Aug. 7, Asia’s biggest security forum.
Tillerson will also participate in the East Asia Summit Ministerial and
the U.S.-ASEAN Ministerial.
Foreign ministers from 27 countries are attending the 50th ASEAN
Foreign Ministers’ Meeting and Related Meetings at the Philippine International
Convention Center from Aug. 2 to 8. (Leslie D. Venzon/PNA)
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