Aquino, Colombian president exchange notes on fight vs drugs, insurgency, poverty

Colombian President Juan Manuel Santos, the second head of state to visit Malacañang this week, exchanged notes with President Benigno Aquino III on Tuesday on how to address poverty, illegal drug trade and insurgency.

Santos is in the country to attend the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (Apec) Summit as an observer. Colombia has been seeking membership since 1995.

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Communications Secretary Herminio Coloma Jr. told Palace reporters that “the two leaders noted their countries’ common concerns on combating illegal drug trade and drug abuse.”

“President Santos offered Colombia’s knowledge and experience in anti-insurgency and anti-illegal drugs campaign, citing decades-long fight in these two fronts,” he said.

Coloma said both countries are “taking steps to improve people’s quality of life by bringing social opportunities closer to them, thus channeling their energies to legitimate sources of income.”

Among the local programs shared by Aquino were the conditional cash transfer program and universal health care through PhilHealth.

Aquino also congratulated Santos on the Colombia government’s peace process with the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia, which has been active since 1964.

Colombia has been plagued with insurgency and armed conflict. It eyes the signing of its own peace pact in 2016. The Philippines, the other hand, has been engaged with different armed groups. It is eyeing the passage of the Bangsamoro Basic Law, which will create an autonomous political entity in Mindanao, as a result of peace negotiations with the Moro Islamic Liberation Front.

In response to Santos lauding the Philippine efforts to address climate change, Aquino promised to share the country’s best practices when it comes to improving disaster resiliency.

Aquino said he hopes that Colombia’s wish to be part of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (Apec) will soon come true. CDG