Duterte vows stronger cooperation with UN vs. COVID-19, terror

President Rodrigo Duterte on Wednesday called for “more openness, deeper solidarity, and stronger cooperation among nations” to combat the threat of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) and terrorism.

At the virtual Aqaba Process meeting among heads of state, Duterte vowed that the Philippines would intensify cooperation with fellow Southeast Asian countries, the United Nations, and other international partners, including Jordan.

He said the “grim, far-reaching” effects of COVID-19 had been worsened by terrorist groups “exploiting” the pandemic.

“No country – big or small, rich or poor – has been spared by the COVID-19 pandemic. For the first time, all of humanity fear the exact same invisible menace," Duterte said.

"Our urgent common response was to close down borders and impose limits to

mobility and trade. The repercussions, as we are seeing now, are grim and far-reaching," he added.

"We have economies in recession, institutions in crisis, and societies in state of uncertainty," Duterte said.

The two-hour teleconference was convened by Jordan’s King Abdullah II of the Hashemite and focused on the coronavirus pandemic.

“Now, more than ever, our resolve is stronger: We will not let up in our fight against terrorism. And we will not allow COVID-19 to bring our people to their knees,” he said.

Duterte stressed that “the key to shared prosperity is the free movement of goods, capital, and services, complemented with appropriate social safety nets. This is why we in ASEAN are drawing up a comprehensive recovery plan anchored on strengthening economic cooperation and supply chain connectivity.”

The Philippines has recorded 226,440 COVID-19 cases as of Wednesday afternoon, still the highest across Southeast Asia. -- NB, GMA News