Duterte, Saudi prince vow to boost cooperation in fighting terrorism

President Rodrigo Duterte (center, in background) and some of his Cabinet members meet with Saudi Prince Abdulaziz Bin Naif in Malacañang on Monday, March 19, 2018. (Photo by Special Assistant to the President CHRISTOPHER GO)

President Rodrigo Duterte met with Prince Abdulaziz bin Saud bin Naif, the interior minister of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, in Malacañang on Monday, with both of them vowing to intensify cooperation in the fight against terrorism.

Presidential spokesperson Harry Roque said Duterte and the Prince had “very warm and cordial talks.”

Roque said the Prince “conveyed the personal and warm wishes of the His Majesty and the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman to the President.”

The prince, he said, “reaffirmed the importance of the Philippines to Saudi Arabia.”

“The prince conveyed the deep respect of the Saudi King for the President’s strong and decisive action that led to the liberation of Marawi from extremists and terrorists,” he said.

Roque also said that the prince conveyed the “readiness” of Saudi to combat violent extremism and terrorism.

“The President thanked the prince for the visit and reaffirmed the commitment of the Philippines to defeat and break the backbone of terrorism and violent extremism,” he said.

Roque said Duterte mentioned the “need to expand cooperation across many fields, especially in security, trade and investment, as well as in promoting the rights, safety and well-being of Filipinos.”

The meeting of Duterte and the prince took place amid the Philippine’s appeal for Middle Eastern countries to ensure the safety of overseas Filipino workers working there.

Duterte had earlier imposed a total deployment ban to Kuwait following the death of Joanna Demafelis who was found dead inside a freezer.

After the courtesy call, Duterte hosted a luncheon in honor of the prince.

“Over a specially prepared Filipino inspired menu, the two discussed the strengthening bilateral relations and issues mutual importance, particularly in law enforcement, peace and order and security,” Roque said. /atm