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| 25 JANUARY 2007 | ||
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| 25 JANUARY 2007 | ||
| President lauds AFP for successful anti-terrorism campaign |
| "You have laid and secured
the road to peace and prosperity." This was the statement of President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo as she praised the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) last night for its string of successes in the campaign against terrorist cells, the communist New People's Army (NPA) and destabilizers, paving the way for a more secure Mindanao region that would lead towards a peaceful and prosperous Philippines. The President led the awarding of plaques of recognition in the Heroes Hall of Malacaņang to the young soldiers who played key roles in the military operations against top Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG) leaders Khaddafy Janjalani and Abu Solaiman, and the promotion of 78 other soldiers who were instrumental in crippling the operations of the ASG and the NPA, as well as the arrest of destabilizers. Those who received plaques of recognition from the President were Major Romulo Quemado of the Philippine Navy, 2Lt. Ranny de Guzman (PN), 1Lt. Almirante Mijares (Philippine Army), 2Lt. Romulo Dimayuga (PN),and Major Marcelino Teofilo (PA). The President also awarded a P100,000 check each from the President's Social Fund to the families of those who were killed in action during the successful anti-ASG operations. Among those present were Executive Secretary Eduardo Ermita, Finance Secretary Margarito Teves, Press Secretary Ignacio Bunye, AFP Chief of Staff Gen. Hermogenes Esperon Jr., Philippine Ambassador to the United States Willy Gaa, US Ambassador to the Philippines Kristie Kenney, US Department of State Undersecretary Karen Hughes, and US Agency for International Development Mission Director Jon Lindborg. "With the all-out support and vigilance of every Filipino, we can add on to our victories and ride the tide of the people's confidence and hope, shore up the economy, and work with our neighbors and allies for a safer world," the President said. She noted that the AFP's accomplishments have played a big role in the global fight against terror. "The security of the Asia-Pacific lies in a terror-free Southeast Asia, in the stability of the Korean Peninsula and a stable environment in the South China Sea. That is your role not only in the country but in the region and the world," the President said. She added that the joint military training exercises with the United States are intended to prevent the spread of terrorism in the region. According to her, the terrorism aspect was also tackled during the recently-concluded 12th Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Summit in Cebu to provide a comprehensive umbrella of peace and security and to facilitate trade and development in the region. "Our joint military training exercises with the United States constitute a spearhead against the spread of terror in the region. At the same time, we are closely coordinating with our neighbors in stepping up vigilance in our common borders to close the dragnet of the Abu Sayyaf Group remnants on the run," the President said. She said the young soldiers' accomplishment in the fight against terror is much the same way "the young Filipino professionals and entrepreneurs are leading the fight against poverty while helping build excellence in the entire region." "Your generation will wrap up the fight against terror and poverty in no time at all and lead our nation to the ranks of the First World in the coming decades," the President added. |
| PGMA leaves for World Economic Forum |
| President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo left this
morning for a three-day visit to Davos, Switzerland to join world leaders and top global
corporate business executives at the annual meeting of the World Economic Forum (WEF). The President, the chair of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), will talk on the topic "ASEAN's 40 Years - A New Future," and meet with chief business leaders to draw world attention to investment possibilities in the Philippines. ASEAN takes center-stage in tomorrow's (Jan. 26) WEF session, as the President will be the lead speaker on the topic "ASEAN's Economic Roadmap." She will be joined in the discussion by distinguished leaders of the ASEAN region, including the Prime Ministers of Vietnam and Malaysia. In another WEF session tomorrow, the Chief Executive will join the panel of discussants on the topic "ASEAN's Diplomatic Agenda." Foreign Affairs Secretary Alberto G. Romulo said the President will bring to the two WEF sessions the "political and economic momentum garnered by the ASEAN Summit" in Cebu on Jan. 10-15. "She will actively participate in these two sessions as the President of a country that is steadily strengthening its economic fundamentals, that is firmly and effectively on the road to economic reform, that is resolutely committed to fair and open trade and that is continuing to gain the trust and confidence of the international business and economic community," Romulo added. Philippine Air Lines (PAL) flight PR 001 bearing the President took off from the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) 2 at exactly 8:15 a.m. after brief airport formalities and departure honors. On hand for the send-off ceremonies were Vice President Noli de Castro, Executive Secretary Eduardo Ermita, and Public Works and Highways Secretary Hermogenes Ebdane. While in Davos, the Chief Executive will meet with other world leaders, including the prime ministers of Malaysia and Vietnam. The two Asian leaders attended the 12th ASEAN Summit held in Cebu. The President is expected to be back on Sunday (Jan. 28). |
| PGMA among 25 heads of state attending World Economic Forum |
| DAVOS, Switzerland (via PLDT)-Energy. Security.
Terrorism. Global warming. Oil price shocks. These are but a few of the key issues that are expected to be on the table when the world's movers and shakers converge in this Swiss mountain resort for the 37th edition of the World Economic Forum (WEF) starting Thursday, to set priorities and find solutions to major problems besetting the world. President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo will be among 2,400 attendees, including 25 heads of state, of the three-day conclave that observers said will also serve as a toast to a year of booming economic returns and record bonuses. The President is scheduled to arrive here Thursday afternoon (Swiss time) with Foreign Affairs Secretary Alberto G. Romulo and Trade and Industry Secretary Peter Favila, among other Cabinet members. The WEF is an independent international organization committed to improving the state of the world by engaging leaders in partnerships to shape global, regional and industry agenda. Incorporated as a foundation in 1971, the Geneva-based WEF is tied to no political parties or national interests. Joining President Arroyo from Southeast Asia are Malaysian Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi and Vietnamese PM Nguyen Tan Dung who were among the participants in the recently-concluded 12th Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Summit in Cebu. Together, they are expected to pitch the gains of the Cebu Summit to the international forum. Among the other world leaders expected at the WEF are British PM Tony Blair, Finnish President Tarja Halonen, President Mohammoud Abbas of the Palestinian Authority; and 2008 US Republican presidential hopeful, Sen. John McCain. Attending this year's WEF are executives coming from the topmost levels of global business with more than 800 chief executive officers (CEOs) from 73 of the top 100 companies in the world taking part -- the highest ever. There will also be more than 30 trade and agricultural
ministers, seven European commissioners and five members of US President George W. Bush's
Cabinet. Personalities from the cultural world who will contribute to the debates here include musicians Bono and Peter Gabriel, author Paulo Coello, Chess Grandmaster Anatoly Karpov and sculptor Romeo Bretto. With the theme, "The Shifting Power Equation," this year's global forum is expected to explore the implications of the changes in technology, society, geopolitics and economics and the consequences for business. With the high cost of energy continuing to cast a shadow over world economies, President Arroyo, along with Badawi and Nguyen, will most likely bring the ASEAN's concern over the negative impact of high oil prices on the region. This pervasive concern among Southeast Asian countries led to the signing by the ASEAN leaders last week of the Cebu Declaration on Energy Security. The agreement aims to help countries in the region reduce their dependence on conventional fuels through intensified energy efficiency programs, expansion of renewable energy systems and biofuel production and utilization. |
| Davos an opportunity for PGMA to project RP before world political, business leaders - Romulo |
| DAVOS, Switzerland (via PLDT) -
Foreign Affairs Secretary Alberto Romulo said Thursday President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo's
attendance in the World Economic Forum (WEF) annual meeting here is a singular opportunity
for the Philippines "to address the major movers and shakers in the business world,
in the political community and civil society." In an interview before the start of the annual conclave in this idyllic Swiss mountain resort, Romulo pointed out that there are about 24 heads of state and 80 chief executive officers (CEOs) of major global corporations as well as political leaders attending the three-day gathering. "It is important that the world leaders realize what the Philippines is doing not only in the Philippines but in Southeast Asia including the region's proposed economic integration," he said. Romulo noted that the United Nations World Economic and Progress Report predicted a 5.7 percent growth rate of the Philippine economy this year. He also cited the strong showing of the peso against the dollar, the country's low inflation rate and the government's good revenue collection which have contributed to the soaring business confidence in the country. "Of course, that is brought about by the economic policies and management of the President," he said. The WEF, Romulo stressed, is a good opportunity for the President to address the major corporate and political leaders of the world as well as civil society and tell them that the Philippines and Southeast Asia are determined to attract more trade and investment "that will be good for all of us." Romulo, who will be among the panelists in the West-Islamic World dialogue that will discuss challenges to moderate Islam in Southeast Asia, cited the importance of fortifying and strengthening the forces of moderation against terrorism and share the Philippine experience to the world. "I'm here to share our experiences in the Philippines and in the region. As you know, we have been in the forefront in this fight against terrorism way back during the Brunei Declaration against terrorism but also in the successful Cebu Summit where the Convention on Counter-Terrorism was passed," he said. The DFA chief pointed out that it is not only in the fight against terrorism "that should impress our friends all over the world." "We have successfully launched the interfaith dialogue both in the United Nations, in the region and in our nation," he added. Romulo also hailed the President's clarion call for a "caring and sharing community," the theme of the 12th ASEAN Summit in Cebu that the regional leaders formalized through a summit declaration. "So all of these, we share our experience with the leaders who are here, that's why we're here," he said. |
