Duterte calls for global solidarity to fight terrorism amid COVID-19 pandemic

MANILA, Philippines — President Rodrigo Duterte on Wednesday called for solidarity and cooperation among countries to combat terrorism amid the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic at the 2020 Aqaba Process Virtual Meeting.

The meeting, hosted by Jordanian King Abdullah II, gathered state leaders and heads of international organizations to tackle the “increased vulnerability of many countries to radicalization and violent extremism resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic,” a Palace statement said.

During the meeting, Duterte called for “more openness, deeper solidarity, and stronger cooperation among nations” to move towards economic recovery while also combatting terrorism and violent extremism.

Even as the Philippines navigates itself out of a pandemic, the President said it continues to confront the threat of terrorism.

“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,” Duterte said.

The Philippines has been battling terrorist attacks for years, the recent incident was last week’s twin suicide bombings in Jolo, Sulu that left at least 15 people dead and 75 wounded.

Duterte also stressed how “no country – big or small, rich or poor – has been spared by the COVID-19 pandemic.”

“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.  We have economies in recession, institutions in crisis, and societies in a state of uncertainty,” he went on.

Hence, Duterte noted that the “key to shared prosperity is the free movement of goods, capital, and services, complemented with appropriate social safety nets.”

As the world faces the COVID-19 pandemic, the President called on his fellow country leaders to “build a new order: one that is more secure, just, and humane – where there is no room for the barbarity of terrorists and extremist forces; and one that is fair, equal, and sustainable – where progress and prosperity are enjoyed by all.”

[atm]