President Benigno S. Aquino III is set to arrive in Phnom Penh, Cambodia to attend the 20th Association of Southeast Asian Nation (ASEAN) Summit and Related Summits with the theme “One Community, One Destiny.”
Aquino is accompanied by Foreign Affairs Secretary Albert del Rosario, Finance Secretary Cesar Purisima, Trade Secretary Gregory Domingo, Social Welfare Secretary Corazon Soliman, Transportation Secretary Mar Roxas, Mindanao Development Authority chair Luwalhati Antonino, and Presidential Spokesman Edwin Lacierda.
Upon arrival, the Philippine delegation along with nine other ASEAN leaders will attend the welcome dinner hosted by Cambodian Prime Minister Samdech Akka Moha Padei Techo Hun Sen, chairman of the 20th ASEAN Summit and Luk Chumteav Kattiprithbendit Bun Ray Hun Sen.
Assistant Secretary for ASEAN Affairs Teresita Barsana said the President will continue to promote the country’s interest in the West Philippine Sea. He will also raise the issue in terms of the implementation of the Code of Conduct of State Parties in the South China Sea by citing the Manila’s insistence to establish a “zone of peace, friendship, freedom and cooperation (ZoPFFC)” in the disputed islands.
The North Korea’s rocket launch will also be part of the President’s agenda. including the promotion of climate change and disaster risk reduction management, migrant workers’ protection and welfare, and micro, small and medium enterprises..
