Apec no haven for the corrupt

Foreign Affairs Perfecto Yasay Jr. AFP FILE PHOTO

LIMA, Peru—Senior ministers of Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (Apec) member economies declared on Friday their commitment to denying safe haven for corrupt officials fleeing prosecution and to strengthen mechanisms for their extradition.

In a joint statement after the Apec Ministers Meeting from Nov. 17-18 here, the members pledged to help each other combat corruption and to encourage businesses to establish their own anticorruption campaigns against illicit trade.

The discussions were held ahead of the two-day Apec Economic Leaders’ Meeting starting Saturday which would be attended by the heads of state or representatives of 21 Pacific Rim countries. President Duterte landed in the Peruvian capital before midnight Thursday (Friday in Manila).

The Philippines was represented by Foreign Secretary Perfecto Yasay and Trade Secretary Ramon Lopez at the Ministers Meeting chaired by Peru’s Foreign Minister Ricardo Luna and Foreign Trade and Tourism Minister Eduardo Ferreyros. —DJ YAP