YouSaid · the spoken record

Azucena

lines on the record: 55
first: 2016-10-25
most recent: 2020-01-09
sittings or episodes: 8
sources: un-security-council

Every line below is reproduced as it was said and linked to the record it came from. Nothing here is summarised or generated. Directory · Search · Corrections

“It is also our view that today’s conflicts equally require trust and respect for sovereignty, not a plain assertion of the multilateral over sovereign States. Working against sovereignty undermines the international order, as we have seen when States are made to fail by multilateral action. I conclude by reaffirming the commitment of the Philippines to upholding the letter and spirit of the United Nations Charter as we address with fortitude the persistent threats to world peace.”
2020-01-09 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8699 (2020) · source
“Secondly, terrorism, with its links to drug trafficking and organized crime, is a most serious threat to international peace and security. The Philippines supports efforts mandated by the United Nations Charter on effective collective measures for the prevention and removal of threats to peace. We support the legal instruments we have developed throughout the years, along with Security Council resolutions and their effective implementation, to fight and end terrorism. Thirdly, we uphold the primacy of sovereignty and, as enshrined in the United Nations Charter, the principle of the sovereign equality of all its Members. The United Nations stands on the foundation of the aggregated sovereignty of its Members. It harnesses sovereignty not for some against others, but for the common purposes of peace and productive cooperation.”
2020-01-09 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8699 (2020) · source
“First, as a proud founding Member of the United Nations, the Philippines is firmly committed to international law, as it is an indispensable foundation in our efforts to build a more peaceful, prosperous and just world, with the States Members of the United Nations enjoying territorial integrity and political independence. In promoting respect for international law, all disputes must be settled peacefully, in accordance with Article 2 and Chapter VI of the United Nations Charter. The 1982 Manila Declaration on the Peaceful Settlement of International Disputes is the authoritative articulation of our collective duty, under the United Nations Charter, to peacefully resolve disputes in the international arena.”
2020-01-09 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8699 (2020) · source
“ASEAN cooperation has intensified efforts on matters related to international terrorism and non-traditional threats, including transnational crime. Representatives of ASEAN member States and the ASEAN secretariat have participated in United Nations- sponsored regional workshops and conferences on issues such as counter-terrorism and foreign terrorist fighters, cybercrime, environmental crime, illicit drugs and human trafficking. ASEAN looks forward to further bolstering its partnership with the United Nations in our shared aspiration to maintain and enhance peace, security and stability and further strengthen peace-oriented values in the region and around the world. In my national capacity, I wish to highlight the following points.”
2020-01-09 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8699 (2020) · source
“ASEAN-United Nations collaboration in peacekeeping and post-conflict peacebuilding, with activities conducted through ASEAN member States’ national focal points and the ASEAN Peacekeeping Centres Network, continues to be strengthened. As of July 2019, ASEAN member States had contributed approximately 5,500 military and police personnel, as well as technical expertise, to United Nations peacekeeping missions. We have intensified efforts to advance the women and peace and security agenda, including through the provision of a growing number of women peacekeepers and the establishment of the ASEAN Women for Peace Registry, to which the Secretary-General reiterated the United Nations commitment to providing technical support.”
2020-01-09 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8699 (2020) · source
“We acknowledge the continued contribution of the ASEAN Defence Ministers Meeting (ADMM) and the ADMM-Plus in maintaining regional peace and stability. We welcome the defence sectoral body’s theme last year on sustainable security, with the aim of strengthening, consolidating and optimizing defence cooperation and supporting cross-pillar activities. We are pleased to note further progress in the area of humanitarian assistance and disaster relief, maritime security, peacekeeping operations, counter- terrorism, military medicine, humanitarian mine action and cybersecurity. Peacekeeping remains the flagship programme of the United Nations enterprise.”
2020-01-09 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8699 (2020) · source
“We have a shared commitment to maintaining and promoting peace, security and stability in the region, as well as to the peaceful resolution of disputes, including full respect for legal and diplomatic processes, without resorting to the threat or use of force, in accordance with the universally recognized principles of international law, including the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea. We promote sustainable security in the region by reinforcing strategic trust and mutual confidence within ASEAN and in the wider Asia-Pacific region, helped by reaffirming the principles of the Treaty of Amity and Cooperation in Southeast Asia, as well as its application to the wider region, and on the basis of upholding the United Nations Charter and international law.”
2020-01-09 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8699 (2020) · source
“On the other hand, Article 52 of the United Nations Charter cites the role of regional arrangements or agencies in the maintenance of international peace and security. Cooperation to promote regional and international peace and security is a key feature of the ASEAN-United Nations comprehensive partnership and cooperation. ASEAN believes that regionalism and multilateralism are important principles and frameworks of cooperation, and that their strength and value lie in their inclusivity, rules-based nature and emphasis on mutual benefit and respect.”
2020-01-09 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8699 (2020) · source
“I am honoured to speak on behalf of the 10 States members of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN). We congratulate Viet Nam — represented today by His Excellency the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Foreign Affairs, Mr. Pham Binh Minh — for assuming the presidency of the Security Council. We welcome the presence of ASEAN member States Indonesia and Viet Nam as non-permanent members of the Council, as we look forward to the further strengthening of the ASEAN-United Nations comprehensive partnership and cooperation. The relationship between ASEAN and the United Nations finds its roots in their respective Charters. On one hand, article 2 of the ASEAN Charter commits ASEAN and its member States to upholding the United Nations Charter and international law.”
2020-01-09 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8699 (2020) · source
“To conclude, our experience with the signing of the Bangsamoro Organic Law for the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao, in July last year, taught us that the signing of a peace agreement is just the beginning of the peace process. The process is completed when every Filipino owns the peace and the peace dividends of progress, security and a comfortable life are enjoyed by all.”
2019-11-19 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8668Resumption1 (2019) · source
“For the Philippine Government, components of that environment include catch-up socioeconomic and development programmes in conflict-affected areas, conflict-sensitivity programmes and the continuous development of a peace constituency that is supportive of the peace process. Another integral component is the "people's peace tables" initiatives for the youth, indigenous peoples, women, sultanates and other stakeholders, which serve as a platform for conversations on peace and conflict issues. Finally, the Government's early recovery and rehabilitation programmes are implemented using a peace lens to ensure that the work delivers on physical reconstruction and rebuilds the torn social fabric of the community of nations.”
2019-11-19 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8668Resumption1 (2019) · source
“ASEAN stands ready, in partnership with key stakeholders and in solidarity with the community of nations, to identify more innovative and inclusive approaches to promote the United Nations peacebuilding and sustaining peace agenda, including reconciliation processes in the region. I would now like to offer some insights in my national capacity. For the Philippines, reconciliation is a long-term process that seeks innovative ways to address, integrate and embrace the painful past and the shared future as a means of dealing with the present. The foundation of that approach is an environment that builds, nurtures and embraces a culture of peace.”
2019-11-19 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8668Resumption1 (2019) · source
“We also welcome the establishment of the ASEAN Women for Peace Registry last year as a groundbreaking initiative to take stock of ASEAN women experts in the field of peace and reconciliation, who may be called upon at times when specific expertise is required. This year, underscoring women's participation, we also welcome various initiatives and actions on women's roles in peace processes, namely, the convening of the ASEAN Women Interfaith Dialogue, held in Jakarta on the theme "Promoting understanding for an inclusive and peaceful society"; the first regional symposium on implementing the women and peace and security agenda in ASEAN, which was held in Phnom Penh; and a regional training on women and peace and security, held in Jakarta.”
2019-11-19 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8668Resumption1 (2019) · source
“It also successfully launched its first research study, entitled Lessons Learned from a Process of ConflictResolution between the Philippine Government and the Moro National Liberation Front, as Mediated by Indonesia and a seminar on the outcome of the project in September. At the tenth ASEAN-United Nations summit, held in Bangkok three weeks ago, ASEAN and the United Nations reaffirmed their commitment to cooperate through the ASEAN Institute for Peace and Reconciliation. The United Nations and Viet Nam will co-host the seventh ASEAN-United Nations workshop and fifth regional dialogue on political-security cooperation and focused collaboration in support of the ASEAN Institute for Peace and Reconciliation in December in Hanoi.”
2019-11-19 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8668Resumption1 (2019) · source
“The ASEAN Institute for Peace and Reconciliation has successfully held a number of activities, namely, its Regional Youth Conference on Peace and Tolerance in 2018, in Jakarta, and a training series on mainstreaming peace and reconciliation in ASEAN this year, in Manila. We welcome the collaboration between the ASEAN Institute for Peace and Reconciliation and the United Nations in convening a workshop on ASEAN perspectives in conflict management and conflict resolution in the region, held in Jakarta, and look forward to more active initiatives at the Institute in the future.”
2019-11-19 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8668Resumption1 (2019) · source
“I am honoured to speak on behalf of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN). The important role of reconciliation processes in the maintenance of regional and international peace and security can be gleaned from ASEAN's experience. ASEAN plays an important role in post-conflict situations. The Bali Concord II, signed in 2003, mandated ASEAN to find innovative ways to increase its security and establish modalities for the ASEAN Political-Security Community, including in the area of post-conflict peacebuilding. Established in 2011, the ASEAN Institute for Peace and Reconciliation was envisioned to be ASEAN's knowledge hub and centre of excellence in building capacity on conflict resolution and further strengthening peace-oriented values towards harmony, peace, security and stability in the region and beyond.”
2019-11-19 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8668Resumption1 (2019) · source
“ASEAN reiterates its commitment to the women and peace and security agenda and will continue to work closely with other Member States, the United Nations and regional organizations to implement and realize its goals.”
2019-11-04 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8649Resumption2 (2019) · source
“The establishment of the Registry is in line with the objective of strengthening the capacity of women as peacebuilders, encouraging a more gender- balanced approach to peace and conflict and harnessing the capacities of ASEAN women experts in the field of peace and reconciliation. ASEAN believes that increasing women's participation in decision-making with respect to conflict management and resolution will help to overcome the societal divide while enabling women to work in creating a sustained dialogue that builds links to peace and stability. ASEAN believes that peace and security are essential to the achievement of sustainable development. To that end, ASEAN recognizes and promotes the indispensable role of women at all stages of the peace process, including in peacebuilding efforts and conflict prevention.”
2019-11-04 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8649Resumption2 (2019) · source
“Among the issues discussed at the latest conferences was the promotion of women's empowerment and participation in post-conflict situation and the implementation of the joint statement in promoting women and peace and security in ASEAN. Also in 2018, in accordance with the purposes and principles of the ASEAN Charter and pursuant to the functions of the ASEAN Institute for Peace and Reconciliation, ASEAN established the ASEAN Women and Peace Registry. The Registry is a compendium of women leaders in ASEAN with expertise in the various aspects of peace processes and reconciliation, including as negotiators, mediators, facilitators and researchers.”
2019-11-04 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8649Resumption2 (2019) · source
“Pursuant to that conviction, in November 2017 ASEAN leaders issued ajoint statement on promoting women and peace and security in ASEAN that encourages the inclusion of the women and peace and security agenda in policies and programmes for the protection of women and girls, among others. In August, another ASEAN joint statement was issued on the women and peace and security agenda under the ASEAN Regional Forum. Last September ASEAN held the Senior Officials Conference in Gender Mainstreaming in the ASEAN Political-Security Community. The conference is the third in a series of conferences organized to mainstream gender across all three ASEAN community pillars. The first conference was held in June 2018 for the ASEAN Socio-Cultural community, while the second was held in December 2018 for the ASEAN Economic Community.”
2019-11-04 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8649Resumption2 (2019) · source
“I have the honour to speak on behalf of the 10 States members of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), namely, Brunei Darussalam, Cambodia, Indonesia, the Lao People's Democratic Republic, Malaysia, Myanmar, Singapore, Thailand, Viet Nam and my own country, the Philippines. ASEAN Member States share the view that women's equal, full, effective and meaningful participation is of great importance at all stages of the peace process given their indispensable role in the prevention and resolution of conflict, peacebuilding and peacekeeping, as embodied in resolution 1325 (2000) and many subsequent resolutions.”
2019-11-04 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8649Resumption2 (2019) · source
“Here at the United Nations and at the international level, more exchanges of best practices and capacity- building are needed for law enforcement and financial intelligence units. We recall that elements of the United Nations counter-terrorism group came to us three weeks before Marawi fell to warn us that the defeated Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant in the Middle East would attempt to revive its caliphate in South-East Asia. Our counter-terrorism efforts are anchored in respecting human rights, because a State's first, foremost and overriding responsibility is to protect the law-abiding against the lawless and the innocent against those threatening their safety and well-being. To that responsibility, the President of the Philippines has made an iron, unwavering and total commitment, and he will not be deterred by criticism.”
2019-07-09 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8569 (2019) · source
“At the subregional level, we conduct joint maritime patrols with Malaysia and Indonesia over our tri-border region of the southern Philippines, eastern Malaysia and Sulawesi to strengthen border controls, especially in the light of the Abu Sayyaf Group's trademark transnational kidnap-for-ransom operations, which took the life of the Netherlander Ewald Horn. At the regional level, the Association of Southeast Asian Nations Comprehensive Plan of Action on Counter-Terrorism provides for the establishment of computerized shared databases on terrorist organizations and their associations, as well as transnational organized crime groups with possible links to terrorist organizations, with a view to developing a joint risk and threat assessment.”
2019-07-09 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8569 (2019) · source
“They learned the lesson of the opium trade, whereby Britain subdued a once-proud continent-sized country to its will. Our anti-drug operations therefore target the trade. Since money is the main driver of such linkages, identifying and curtailing the sources of finance and tracking its flow are essential. Financial intelligence units, law enforcement agencies, the prosecution service and local Government units must work together, share information with one another and raise awareness. The public sector, as appropriate, must also work closely with the private sector. Intelligence gathering can be more effective if agencies focus not only on terrorist acts per se but more on the means that enable them.”
2019-07-09 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8569 (2019) · source
“On the political level, the Philippines now has the Bangsamoro Organic Law, which gives autonomy to Muslim Mindanao and is intended to end the decades- long conflict in that region, which has been used by the Abu Sayyaf and local terrorist groups as a freedom struggle. It was anything but that. We are also amending our Human Security Act to make it more responsive to such linkages. Drug trafficking offers a profitable illicit revenue stream. The drug trade weakens social resistance and corrupts a political response. It is known that local terrorist group members are both narcotics distributors or dealers and consumers. Shabu is frequently used for recruitment and the shabu trade is primarily run by organized criminal groups, illustrating the cooperation between terrorist groups and local and transnational criminal organizations.”
2019-07-09 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8569 (2019) · source
“With drug money, terrorists gathered a motley assortment of well-armed extremists, criminals, mercenaries and foreign terrorist fighters to take control of Marawi. Narco-politicians supported the local terrorist groups with personnel, funds and firearms, which helped to sustain the siege that followed the Government's counteroffensive. Intensive military and law enforcement operations allowed us to recapture Marawi in six months, which was less than the six years it took to recapture Raqqa. Beyond law enforcement and military operations, a comprehensive approach is needed to address the linkages between terrorist organizations and organized crime.”
2019-07-09 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8569 (2019) · source
“The linkages between international terrorism and organized crime are well established in the Philippines. The Abu Sayyaf Group, the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters, the Maute Group and Ansar al Khalifa, which have all declared allegiance to the Islamic State, fund their operations through criminal activities, mostly drug trafficking, kidnapping, extortion and arms smuggling. They initially cooperated with criminal organizations but have since developed their own criminal networks, which operate under the false rubric of freedom struggles, covering themselves with the mantle of victims of human rights and of religious conscience violations whenever the State moves against them to protect its citizens. The Marawi siege of 2017 illustrates the symbiotic relationship between terrorism and the illegal drug trade.”
2019-07-09 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8569 (2019) · source
“Thirdly, on the ability and authority of the Force Commander to appropriately respond to emergency situations on the ground without the need to consult with mission legal advisers, the Philippines supports the call to limit national caveats from host States addressed to Force Commanders overseeing peacekeeping missions. Fourthly, the Philippines supports the increased deployment of women United Nations peacekeepers, including in the highest posts. There is no debate about their pre-eminent qualification for any aspect of peacekeeping operations. The Philippines has never failed in its peacekeeping commitments and commits to a larger presence in United Nations peacekeeping operations. The meeting rose at 4.30pm.”
2019-05-07 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8521 (2019) · source
“As part of its predeployment and in-mission training of personnel, the Armed Forces of the Philippines imposes the most stringent measures in the selection of candidates and implements a system of rewards and penalties for well-performing and misbehaving personnel. The Philippines wishes to submit the following. First, the Philippines encourages Member States to host centres of excellence in each region to support the trainers in delivering training packages to troop- and police-contributing countries, consistent with United Nations standards and approaches. Secondly, the Philippines believes that threat analyses and data should be shared with other missions to improve the safety and security of peacekeeping personnel and, foremost, that of civilians.”
2019-05-07 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8521 (2019) · source
“Predeployment training should be tailored to respond to particular country-specific or context-specific challenges of protecting civilians with clear definitions of the responsibilities, opportunities and constraints that will be faced by peacekeepers in the field. But again, the safety of civilians is an absolute and in no case shall it be sacrificed for any other consideration. Our Department of National Defence takes a strict approach to cases of misconduct. The Armed Forces of the Philippines makes sure that all its peacekeeping contingents are deeply instilled with guidelines for proper behaviour and conduct in the United Nations mission area.”
2019-05-07 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8521 (2019) · source
“The Philippines welcomes the efforts of the Department of Peace Operations to establish clear performance standards and assessments based on regular evaluations of military units, including on command and control, the protection of civilians, conduct, discipline and training. They enable an objective assessment of whole-of-mission performance - civilian and uniformed components, staff and leadership - through data collection and analysis. The Philippines reaffirms that peacekeeping operations must be measured by the mandate to protect civilians as the core criterion of success, with child protection and combating sexual exploitation and abuse as key elements.”
2019-05-07 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8521 (2019) · source
“While a mission may produce a political outcome, the containment or even defeat of the murdering elements is acceptable because it stops the carnage and rapine. Life and human dignity are United Nations peacekeeping's absolutes. Today's open debate, under the presidency of Indonesia, is therefore a timely follow-up event after the successful 2019 United Nations Peacekeeping Ministerial a month ago. Continued dialogue and debates on the subject are key to ensuring that the Action for Peacekeeping initiative will succeed after achieving near consensus on 24 mutual commitments last September.”
2019-05-07 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8521 (2019) · source
“Peacekeeping remains the flagship agenda of the United Nations enterprise. Peacekeeping operations and missions come with high expectations. They have long been the signature and most popular image of the United Nations. The missions' ability to protect not only civilians but also United Nations peacekeepers and personnel is the standard by which United Nations peacekeeping is measured, affecting its legitimacy and credibility. Even as the greatest credit to the United Nations has come from peacekeeping, its biggest and deepest stains have come from failing in the same. Peacekeeping should not decide political outcomes, but it does commit to establishing humane conditions where they have ceased to exist.”
2019-05-07 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8521 (2019) · source
“We call on all Member States to adhere to and implement the United Nations Convention against Transnational Organized Crime and its protocols, the relevant resolutions and guidelines adopted by the International Maritime Organization, and the relevant conventions countering maritime piracy. In my country's experience, the scourge of piracy and robbery at sea is best addressed by an international response through an intergovernmental approach. With approximately 80 per cent of global trade taking place by maritime transport, attaining maritime security is vital to our shared prosperity. The meeting rose at 1.05 pm.”
2019-02-05 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8457 (2019) · source
“The Philippines is likewise active in the ASEAN Regional Forum and the East Asia Summit, as well as the ASEAN Senior Officials Meeting on Transnational Crime, which focuses on maritime security and cooperation. Organized crime at sea is a global problem that threatens security, stability and the rule of law, undermines economic prosperity and threatens the environment. Thus international cooperation to prevent and control it is essential. States have a shared responsibility to counter the threat of maritime crime through enhanced international cooperation, awareness- raising, information-sharing, capacity-building, technical assistance and strengthened law enforcement.”
2019-02-05 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8457 (2019) · source
“The ReCAAP information-sharing centre also conducts capacity-building for the focal points of countries and provides links with the International Maritime Organization, INTERPOL, the Baltic and International Maritime Council and other relevant organizations. The Philippines is active in the ASEAN Maritime Forum, a mechanism in ASEAN to enhance dialogue and confidence-building in maritime cooperation and maritime security in the region, including in countering piracy, in humanitarian assistance and disaster relief, and in the management and protection of maritime and aquatic resources. The expanded ASEAN Maritime Forum, which includes ASEAN dialogue partners, also holds discussions on maritime security, safety and environmental protection.”
2019-02-05 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8457 (2019) · source
“Joint air and sea patrols were conducted on the three countries' common borders to reinforce security and accelerate the capture of armed elements, fugitives and those who are providing assistance to extremists. That cooperation has also enhanced intelligence- and information-sharing among security and intelligence agencies. The Philippines is also a member of the Regional Cooperation Agreement on Combating Piracy and Armed Robbery against Ships in Asia (ReCAAP), a multilateral mechanism involving 20 States aimed at promoting and enhancing cooperation against piracy and armed robbery against ships in Asia. In 2018, the ReCAAP information-sharing centre reported a total of 76 incidents of piracy and armed robbery against ships in Asia, a 25 per cent decrease from the 102 incidents reported in 2017.”
2019-02-05 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8457 (2019) · source
“In September last year alone, seven Filipino seafarers were abducted in Nigerian waters. They were released in October, but just a few days after that, 10 others were abducted in the Gulf of Guinea. The Philippines' southern maritime borders, which are shared with Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) neighbours, are areas of concern owing to the prevalence of high-seas piracy, terrorist activities and other crimes. The Philippines joined Indonesia and Malaysia in the trilateral cooperative agreement to implement counterterrorism measures and strategies and to effectively address existing and emerging transnational challenges and threats.”
2019-02-05 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8457 (2019) · source
“The Philippines cooperates with the Government of the flag of hijacked vessels, as well as with the vessels' owners, to ensure the safety and return of the abducted crew. In the case of the most recent release and recovery of hostages, the Philippines worked with the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime in repatriating the Filipinos as well as the Cambodian seafarers and in providing them with medical and psychosocial services. Financial assistance to the families of the released crew was also provided by my Government, in keeping with the third pillar of our foreign policy, to promote and protect the welfare of overseas Filipinos. Piracy in the Horn of Africa was stemmed by the vigilant and efficient counter-piracy operations and cooperation of many Governments and organizations. However, piracy elsewhere continues.”
2019-02-05 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8457 (2019) · source
“Our seafarers constitute about 20 per cent of global seafarers, servicing mainly international merchant ships. There is one Filipino seafarer for every complement of four on board a vessel at any time. It is therefore vital for my country that threats to maritime security be addressed and abated. At the height of the piracy in the Horn of Africa in 2008, more than 200 Filipino seafarers were in the hands of pirates on any given day. During the period from March 2006 to March 2009, 293 Filipino seafarers were taken hostage by pirates while working on board seagoing vessels. It was only in October 2016 that the last group of hostages from the last fishing vessel hijacked in the Gulf of Aden was released. Five Filipinos were in that group; they had been held hostage for more than four years.”
2019-02-05 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8457 (2019) · source
“I thank you, Mr. President, for inviting the Philippines to participate in this important debate, as this issue is a national security priority for my country. Due to its strategic location in South-East Asia and its more than 36,000 kilometres of coastline, the Philippines attaches paramount importance to maritime security. The security of the seas surrounding the country impacts our territorial integrity, the protection of maritime ecosystems and aquatic resources, and the welfare of our nationals. My country's location makes it vulnerable to the activities of international crime syndicates, including piracy, drug trafficking and human trafficking. The Philippines also has a stake in the security of the seas beyond its surrounding waters.”
2019-02-05 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8457 (2019) · source
“Criminal networks, armed groups and terrorists groups must not be allowed to further thrive in situations of instability and chaos, to prey on the fear, hardship, and misery of others caught in conflict and post-conflict situations and to profit from activities, such as forced labour, slavery and other forms of exploitation.”
2017-11-21 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8111 (2017) · source
“The response to human trafficking and all its aspects should acknowledge and understand the political, socioeconomic and even cultural push factors, and bring together Government, civil society and the private sector at both the domestic and international fronts. The very nature of human trafficking requires cross- border cooperation. Member States need to strengthen international cooperation on information sharing, law enforcement, border control and judicial systems, and learn important lessons to enhance their own national action plans to more effectively combat that problem.”
2017-11-21 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8111 (2017) · source
“An example of international efforts is the migrants in countries in crisis initiative, which the Philippines spearheaded in cooperation with the United States and other partners, and which has sought to improve responses to assist migrants in countries experiencing conflict or natural disaster. That comprehensive, rights-based approach has resulted in the successful prosecutions of perpetrators of human trafficking. The global compact on safe, regular, and orderly migration also provides us with an opportunity to strengthen international cooperation to enable migrants to move across borders safely and prevent them from falling prey to traffickers.”
2017-11-21 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8111 (2017) · source
“That approach has enabled the Philippines to strategically locate victims and traffickers in the entire process, especially at critical points of intervention, where victims are the most visible and can be rescued. It also allows for the identification of critical points in the business flow in order to deal the strongest blow to the operations of trafficking syndicates, and to expose and develop strategies to arrest new methods employed by traffickers. With an estimated 4 million Filipino migrant workers today, the Philippine Government has made it a priority to provide them with protection from human trafficking and exploitation, through national laws, international arrangements, cooperation with destination countries and initiatives in multilateral forums.”
2017-11-21 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8111 (2017) · source
“The cluster develops and implements programmes for access to protected information, psychosocial and trauma-informed care, protective custody and access to education and economic opportunities. That approach has been implemented most recently in the Philippine Government's response to the crisis in Marawi, where, among other notable initiatives, the Government deployed an all- women contingent from police and military services, representing a vital component of its post-conflict and reconstruction activities. To address the problem of human trafficking as a means to finance the activities of terrorists, armed groups and transnational organized crime networks, it is important to examine trafficking corridors and the business flow of trafficking.”
2017-11-21 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8111 (2017) · source
“The Philippines has adopted a one-country-team and multistakeholder approach to trafficking in persons, which consolidates the mandates, efforts, resources and interests of the duty-bearers and stakeholders to develop a robust response. It has resulted in promoting the awareness and mainstreaming of interventions, down to the grassroots level. Realizing the increased vulnerability of populations in conflict areas, the Government has activated a structure called the gender-based violence cluster, composed mainly of law enforcers, social welfare service providers who specialize in gender issues, and civil society representatives. The cluster is tasked with addressing the needs of women and children in conflict situations, in particular in mitigating vulnerabilities to sexual violence and trafficking.”
2017-11-21 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8111 (2017) · source
“I would like to thank you, Sir, for convening today's open debate on the issue of trafficking in persons in conflict situations, which is an issue of priority concern for the Philippine Government. The Philippines shares the view that in times of conflict, women and children are particularly vulnerable to trafficking. There is therefore a greater imperative for Governments to address the vulnerability of persons caught or affected by conflict against the greater threats to their life, dignity and security. Despite challenges in monitoring incidents and the extent of this crime in conflict areas, the Philippine Government remains committed to protecting the welfare of persons who are vulnerable to trafficking in conflict situations, through preventive measures.”
2017-11-21 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8111 (2017) · source
“Certainly, there is a need for women to be protected as the victims of violence and war but, as stated in resolution 1325 (2000), we further recognize that women's leadership is critical to finding enduring solutions to destructive and dehumanizing conflicts.”
2016-10-25 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7793 (2016) · source
“The Philippines is happy for the opportunity to contribute its talents to the work of the women and peace and security agenda through Justice Rapid Response. As we now go forward in the process of negotiating a peace agreement with the Communist Party of the Philippines and its Front and armed group and in implementing the peace agreement signed with two Moro Liberation Fronts, the Philippines is committed, more than ever, to working towards the full implementation of resolution 1325 (2000). Our Government recognizes that that landmark international instrument is there for Governments like ours to adhere to.”
2016-10-25 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7793 (2016) · source