Duterte eyes maritime security cooperation in Malaysia trip

Strengthening cooperation against maritime security threats is high on the agenda of Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte's introductory visit to Malaysia.

Reporting Thursday for Unang Balita, GMA News' Steve Dailisan in capital Kuala Lumpur said that abductions and piracy in the seas bordering the two countries have remained a common concern.

Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak and Duterte were scheduled to sit together Thursday morning to discuss security issues, the report said.

Meanwhile, at the gathering of Filipinos in Kuala Lumpur on Wednesday evening, Duterte said that he thanked Razak for welcoming him to Malaysia.

Also, according to the report, Duterte noted that the Malaysian leader does not see any problem with the present Philippine campaign against illegal drugs and corruption.

Malaysia enforces strict laws and penalties, including death, against drug abuse.

Unang Balita reported that there are 27 Filipinos on death row in Malaysia but a moratorium on executions has been in effect. 

Dailisan said that there are some 100,000 Filipinos in Kuala Lumpur, and over 500,000 in the Sabah area.

Moreover, he said that 60 percent of the Filipinos in the country are domestic helpers and the rest (40%) are skilled workers.

On the other hand, Trade and Industry Secretary Ramon Lopez is scheduled to meet Thursday morning with  Malaysia's business community, in hopes of generating more job opportunities for Filipinos in Malaysia and even in the Philippines, the report added. —LBG, GMA News