Statement
of
His Excellency Benigno S. Aquino III
President of the Philippines
For the press conference with Prime Minister Kay Rala Xanana Gusmão of Timor-Leste

[Delivered in Malacañan Palace on June 6, 2013]

Your Excellency, Prime Minister Kay Rala Xanana Gusmão; members of the press; members of the Timor-Leste delegation; ladies and gentlemen:

On behalf of the Filipino people, I welcome Your Excellency, the Prime Minister, and the delegation of the Democratic Republic of Timor-Leste. Your Excellency, your visit comes at a very important time for our nations, as we focus our efforts in fostering greater cooperation and solidarity in Southeast Asia.

On this note, allow me to express the Philippine’s support for Timor-Leste’s bid to join the ASEAN community. We look forward to working more closely with you in the future in advancing regional dialogue, which we know will redound not only to the growth of our peoples and our countries, but will also contribute to the stability and continued development of our region.

Over the course of eleven years, the Philippines and Timor-Leste have worked hand in hand in pursuing strategies that will turn this very vision of mutual prosperity and peace into tangible realities for our peoples. Timor-Leste has also stood as a reliable partner of the Philippines in times of disaster. On behalf of the Filipino people, I would like to thank the, His Excellency, the Prime Minister and the Timor-Leste peoples for the 750,000-dollar assistance extended to us for the victims of typhoon Pablo. The kindness that Timor-Leste has shown will always be remembered by the Filipino people.

The discussions the Prime Minister and I had this morning affirm our dedication to strengthen the relationship between our two nations, particularly through engagements in education, defense, infrastructure development, and trade.

Today, we witnessed the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding between the Philippine Normal University and the Government of Timor-Leste, the objective of which is to enhance the training of Timorese teachers. This is part of our efforts to deepen cooperation in education between our nations. I have also been informed that thirty-two of the more than one hundred Timorese scholars in the country have finished their studies here and have returned to their country to share the insights that they have gained in the Philippines with their countrymen. With twenty more scholars graduating this year, we look forward to welcoming more Timorese nationals to our shores to learn from our finest institutions.

In defense, the Prime Minister and I share the same commitment to conduct military consultations and to exchange intelligence that is vital to maintaining peace and security in our part of the world. This is in keeping with the Joint Declaration on Military Cooperation, which was signed by both our governments last year.

On the economic front, it is my pleasure to say that trade between the Philippines and the Democratic Republic of Timor-Leste, from 2011 to 2012, almost tripled. This is a positive sign of our robust partnership. And with the signing of the agreements on infrastructure development and capacity building, among others, we open more doors of opportunity for both our peoples, empowering them to take part in further building a more equitable, more progressive Southeast Asia.

Your Excellency, the peoples of our region not only share a rich history; more importantly, we are bound by common aspirations. It is by working together that we realize the potential of our nations and of our region. Our meeting today signifies that our peoples are determined and ready to achieve these dreams.

It is my hope that the rest of your stay here will be enjoyable, insightful, and productive.

Thank you, Your Excellency, ladies and gentlemen.

Pahayag
ng
Kagalang-galang Benigno S. Aquino III
Pangulo ng Pilipinas
Sa kanyang pagdating mula sa 22^nd ASEAN Summit

[Inihayag sa NAIA Terminal 2, Lungsod ng Pasay, noong ika-25 ng Abril 2013]

Magandang hapon po sa inyong lahat.

Sa tuwing nabibigyan tayo ng pagkakataon na makasama ang mga pinuno ng Timog Silangang Asya, lagi nating idinidiin ang importansya ng makabuluhan at produktibong diyalogo. At sa pakikilahok natin sa ika-dalawampu’t dalawang ASEAN Summit sa Bandar Seri Begawan, Brunei Darussalam, kapansin-pansin ang pangingibabaw ng respeto, risonableng talakayan, at mahinahong usapan ng bawat bansa, habang tinutugunan ang iba’t ibang isyung may implikasyon sa kaayusan, ekonomiya, at kinabukasan ng rehiyon.

Sa unang pagpupulong pa lamang, agad nang tinalakay kung gaano kahalaga ang pagkakaroon ng mapayapang ugnayan at nagkakaisang tinig, lalo na sa mga paksang teritoryal. Nagpapasalamat tayo sa ASEAN Chairman na si Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah ng Brunei, gayundin sa iba pang pinuno ng rehiyon na sumang-ayon sa panawagan natin para sa mas mahigpit na implementasyon ng mga prinsipyong nakapaloob sa Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea. Isinulong din natin na matutukan, sa lalong madaling panahon, ang pagbuo ng isang Code of Conduct, na kikilalanin, igagalang, at susundin ng bawat miyembro bilang pundasyon ng ugnayan, estabilidad, at kaunlaran sa Timog Silangang Asya. Batid ng lahat ng pinuno ng ASEAN: ang maigting nating paninindigan ukol sa West Philippine Sea, ay nakatuon, hindi lamang sa pansariling interes ng kanya-kanyang bansa, kundi para rin sa mas aktibong kalakalan, at malawakang kaunlaran sa bahaging ito ng daigdig.

Bukod sa pagsuporta sa mga hakbang natin para tugunan ang mga usaping teritoryal, may mga kapitbahay din tayong nagpaabot ng lubos na pasasalamat sa ating makabuluhang relasyon sa kanila. Sa naganap na bilateral meeting kasama ang Punong Ministro ng Vietnam na si Nguyen Tan Dung, nagpasalamat at kinilala niya ang produktibo, at higit pang bumubuting ugnayan ng ating mga bansa. Mula sa maritime cooperation, at sa agresibong kalakalan, hanggang sa iba’t ibang sektor at larangan, nasa interes na Pilipinas at Vietnam na samantalahin ang mas dumadaming pagkakataon tungo sa mas matibay na relasyon at tiyak na kaunlaran.

Hindi maikakaila ang positibong epekto ng mga pakikipagpulong natin sa mga karatig-bansa, lalo na sa ating turismo at ekonomiya. Subalit tangan pa rin ng mga Pilipino ang uri ng kinabukasan na ipapamana natin sa susunod na henerasyon. Nasaang panig man tayo ng mundo, hamon pa rin sa atin na patuloy na magsumikap at makiambag, sa pagbuo ng isang lipunang bukal ng patas na pagkakataon para sa lahat. Nakaatang sa ating mga balikat kung paanong bibigyang-halaga at ipagpapatuloy ang mga positibong bunga ng tuwid na daan, at tiwala akong kasama ko pa rin ang taumbayan sa pagsagwan tungo sa katuparan ng ating mga kolektibong pangarap.

Maraming salamat po. Magandang hapon po sa lahat.

Pahayag
ng
Kagalang-galang Benigno S. Aquino III
Pangulo ng Pilipinas
Bago ang kanyang pagdalo sa ika-22 ASEAN Summit

[Inihayag sa NAIA Terminal 2, Lungsod ng Pasay, noong ika-24 ng Abril 2013]

Ngayong hapon, lilipad po tayo patungong Bandar Seri Begawan, Brunei Darussalam, upang makipagpulong kasama ang iba pang pinuno mula sa Timog Silangang Asya, para sa ika-dalawampu’t dalawang ASEAN Summit. Sa pagtitipong ito, muli tayong nabibigyan ng pagkakataong ibahagi sa ating mga karatig-bansa ang saloobin ng Pilipinas ukol sa mga napapanahong isyu, at ang kahandaan ng mga Pilipinong makipagtulungan sa iba’t ibang larangan.

Gaya ng palagi nating idinidiin: Ang kaunlaran ng isa, ay kaunlaran ng lahat—habang ang munting gulo sa ating sulok ng mundo ay makakaapekto rin sa ekonomiya’t kalakalan ng nakararami. Wala tayong ibang hangad kundi ang magtaguyod ng kaayusan at kapayapaan, kaya naman itutulak nating isabuhay ng lahat ang mga prinsipyong nakapaloob sa Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea o DOC. Hihikayatin din natin ang ibang pinuno sa pagpapanday ng isang Code of Conduct sa lalong madaling panahon, na kikilalanin at susundin ng lahat. Sa liderato ng kasalukuyang ASEAN Chairman, si Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah ng Brunei, buo ang kumpiyansa nating mas makakausad nang patas ang paksang ito.

Nakatakda rin tayong bumalik dito sa Pilipinas bukas, kaya naman sisiguruhin nating bawat minuto natin sa ASEAN Summit ay nakatuon lamang para maisulong ang interes ng bansa, at ang makabuo ng matibay na ugnayan sa ating mga kapitbahay sa Timog Silangang Asya. Ang tiwala ng taumbayan sa tuwid na daan ang nagsisilbing lakas ng pamahalaan upang higit pang pagbutihin ang pagtitindig ng mga reporma’t hakbang na maipagmamalaki ng mga Pilipino. Sa biyaheng ito, wala pa rin pong nagbabago: nakatutok pa rin tayo sa kapakanan ng lahat, at sa kinabukasang ipapamana natin sa susunod na salinlahi.

Maraming salamat po. Magandang hapon po sa lahat.

Statement
of
His Excellency Benigno S. Aquino III
President of the Philippines
On the events in Sabah

[This is a translation of the statement delivered at President’s Hall, Malacañan Palace, on March 4, 2013]

It was at the height of the 1987 coup d’etat during when I was ambushed, together with four members of my security detail. Three of them were killed. Two of the victims of the ambush were planning to get married; and one of them would no longer be able to see his youngest child. From their wakes, and up to this day, I cannot avoid thinking about it and blaming myself: that maybe if we had not gone out then, they might still be alive; that if we did not have to go somewhere at the time, they might still be with their children, their wives, and their families. That event emphasized to me the value of the lives of my fellowmen, especially if they are affected by my decisions and actions.

This is the exact same situation that I face now in the midst of what is happening in Sabah. As President, it is not just the lives of those in Rajah Muda Agbimuddin Kiram’s group, but also the welfare and the safety of the estimated 800,000 Filipinos in Sabah, rest on my shoulders. Each life is valuable, and we have no other priority but to ensure the safety of our countrymen, wherever they may be in the world.

Let us be frank with each other: If the situation were reversed, and armed groups entered our own community, would it be possible for us to do nothing? Would we not ask the government for help? Whatever your nationality may be, if there exists a threat to your safety, you would naturally retaliate and find a way to remove your citizens from harm’s way. How can you expect a reasonable discussion when you are pointing a gun to the face of those in the other side? If you really want the discussions to progress, do not threaten the safety of the one you are speaking with.

We are doing all we can to prepare for all possible outcomes. I have tasked each agency of government that is connected to or responsible for the different aspects of what this incident may bring about to study and prepare for the implications.

We have all been witness to the talents and dedication of our Muslim brothers and sisters; they have displayed a readiness to work with us towards a lasting peace. My call to the family of Sultan Jamalul Kiram III has not changed: it is not reasonable to ask for understanding, if your weapons are pointed at the faces of those you are speaking with. Open and reasonable dialogue can only start once you are willing to exhibit calm and restraint, and approach the table with open minds.

We are aware that there are those who conspired to bring us to this situation—a situation that has no immediate solutions. Some of their identities are clear to us, while others continue to skulk in the shadows. The family of Sultan Jamalul Kiram could not possibly have settled on this course of action alone. We have also noticed how our critics have stuck to a single messaging line to exacerbate a situation that has already grown dire. They have made this issue worse, and they are doing this even as their actions place thousands of Filipinos in danger. To the people who are behind this, even now, I tell you: you will not succeed. All those who have wronged our country will be held accountable.

I extend my gratitude to the great number of our countrymen who have been reasonable, and who have contributed towards the resolution of this incident. It is clear to us that this situation can worsen, but also that it can come to an end. After all, we can differentiate events that the turbulent winds of fate have caused, from those that have been orchestrated. What is regrettable is that there were those who chose for this to happen, and, in so doing, chose to place many Filipinos in danger. Even then, we will not allow ourselves to be drained of the strength it will take to put an end to this incident in the soonest possible time. This will come from our capacity to look to the welfare of others, and not merely ourselves. It is simple: we will be able to put an end to this trouble, if the people involved in it become reasonable, especially those who see themselves as true leaders.

Thank you.

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Basahin ayon sa pagkakabigkas

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VIDEO:

FULL TRANSCRIPT:

Pahayag
ng
Kagalang-galang Benigno S. Aquino III
Pangulo ng Pilipinas
Ukol sa mga kaganapan sa Sabah

[Inihayag sa President’s Hall, Palasyo ng Malacañan, noong ika-4 ng Marso 2013]

Magandang hapon po.

Kasagsagan ng kudeta noong 1987 nang in-ambush ako, kasama ang apat sa aking security detail. Tatlo sa mga inatasang mangalaga sa aking buhay ang namatay. Dalawa sa mga biktima ng naganap na ambush ay nagpaplano nang magpakasal—at natural hindi na po natuloy. Ang isa nama’y hindi na inabutan ang pagsilang ng kaniyang huling anak. Mula sa burol hanggang sa ngayon, hindi ko maiwasang pag-isipan at sisihin ang aking sarili: na baka kung hindi kami lumabas noon, baka buhay pa sila ngayon; na kung wala kaming kailangang puntahan noon, baka kasama pa nila hanggang ngayon ang kanilang anak, asawa, at pamilya. Dahil sa pangyayaring ito, mas naging importante sa akin ang halaga ng buhay ng aking kapwa, lalo na kung ito’y apektado ng aking mga desisyon at pagkilos.

Ganito mismo ang kinakaharap ko ngayon sa gitna ng mga nangyayari sa Sabah. Bilang Pangulo, nakaatang sa aking balikat ang buhay, hindi lang ng grupo ni Rajah Muda Agbimuddin Kiram, kundi maging ang kapakanan at kaligtasan ng tinatayang walondaang libong Pilipinong nasa Sabah. Bawat buhay ay mahalaga, at wala tayong ibang pakay kundi ang mangibabaw ang kaligtasan ng mga kababayan natin, nasaang panig man sila ng mundo.

Magprangkahan nga po tayo: kung baliktad ang sitwasyon, at sarili nating komunidad ang pinasok ng sino mang armadong grupo, puwede bang magwalang-kibo na lang tayo? Hindi rin ba tayo magpapasaklolo sa pamahalaan? Kahit naman po anong lahi, basta may banta sa kanilang kaligtasan, papalag at gagawa ng paraan upang mailayo ang kanilang mamamayan sa banta ng karahasan. Paano ka naman makakaasa ng risonableng usapan kung tinututukan mo ng baril sa mukha ang kabilang panig? Kung gusto mo talagang umusad ang usapan, tanggalin mo muna ang banta sa kaligtasan ng iyong kausap.

Pinipilit nating paghandaan maski ano ang kahinatnan ng mga pangyayari. Bawat ahensya ng gobyernong may kaugnayan at responsibilidad sa iba’t ibang aspeto na maaaring ibunga ng kaguluhan ay matagal na nating inatasan na, una, pag-aralan at, pangalawa, paghandaan ang implikasyon.

Saksi tayong lahat sa kakayahan at dedikasyon ng ating mga kapatid na Muslim, handa silang makipagtulungan tungo sa pangmatagalang kapayapaan. Hindi pa rin nagbabago ang panawagan ko sa angkan ni Sultan Jamalul Kiram III: hindi risonableng humingi ng pang-unawa kung nakatutok ang iyong armas sa mukha ng iyong kausap. Magsisimula lamang ang risonableng usapan oras na maging handa kayong huminahon at magtimpi, at humarap sa mesa nang may bukas na pag-iisip.

Mulat tayong may mga taong nagkuntsabahan upang humantong tayo sa sitwasyong ito—isang sitwasyong walang agarang solusyon. Ilan po sa kanila ay nakikita natin, habang ang iba naman ay nagkukubli pa rin sa dilim. Hindi po kakayanin ng angkan ni Sultan Jamalul Kiram III na gawing mag-isa ang ganitong uri ng pagkilos. Kapansin-pansin din ang nag-iisang linya ng mga kritiko para gatungan ang malubha na ngang sitwasyon. Pinalubha nila ang  isyung ito, at ginagawa nila ito habang inilalagay sa peligro ang daan-daang libong Pilipino. Sa mga taong nasa likod nito, ngayon pa lang, sinasabi ko sa inyo: Hindi kayo magtatagumpay. Pananagutin natin ang mga nagkasala sa bansa.

Nagpapasalamat ako sa napakaraming kababayan nating risonable, at tumutulong tungo sa resolusyon ng pangyayaring ito. Maliwanag sa ating lahat na puwede pang lumala ang sitwasyon, pero puwede ring matapos na ang kaguluhang ito. Alam naman po natin kung alin ang delubyong tadhana ang may gawa, at kung alin ang talagang sinadya. Ang masakit ngayon, pinili ng ilang tao na mangyari ito, at sadyang inilagay sa panganib ang napakaraming Pilipino. Gayumpaman, hindi tayo mauubusan ng lakas para piliting tapusin ang kaguluhang ito sa lalong madaling panahon. Simple lamang po: matatapos ang kaguluhang ito kung maging risonable ang mga personalidad na sangkot dito, lalo na ang mga taong ang tingin nila sa kanilang sarili ay tunay na pinuno.

Maraming salamat po.

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Read this in English

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VIDEO:{{*}}

TRANSCRIPT:

Statement
of
His Excellency Benigno S. Aquino III
President of the Philippines
On the Sabah incident

[Delivered at the New Executive Building, Malacañang, on February 26, 2013]

I address you today about the incident that is now taking place in Sabah, allegedly under the leadership of Prince Rajah Mudah Agbimuddin Kiram. Our relations with Malaysia have always been colored by the issue of Sabah—an issue that has persisted for over half a century. This issue is complex: from the basis of our claim, to the question of the rightful heirs, and even involving the translation of documents from an era when our grandparents weren’t even born.

This incident involves approximately 180 people, twenty to thirty of whom are armed. Having an armed group in Lahad Datu presents a challenge that the Malaysian authorities cannot ignore. From the outset of this incident, our primary consideration has always been to protect all lives. Secretary del Rosario had already reached an agreement with Malaysian Foreign Minister Anifah that this issue should be resolved in a peaceful manner.

Our armed forces and police have been actively communicating with their Malaysian counterparts to peacefully resolve the situation. Other agencies of government have also been tasked to prepare for any contingencies that could potentially affect our citizens. For example, the Philippine and Malaysian Navies have worked together to prevent other groups from entering Lahad Datu. From the three extensions of the deadline given by Malaysia, to the constant coordination as events unfolded, our efforts have not ceased.

Apart from this, we have also sent a number of emissaries to the Kiram family to ask them to convince the group in Lahad Datu to return home peacefully. In fact, there is a humanitarian ship with social workers and medical officers on board nearby to facilitate the peaceful departure of those in Lahad Datu.

What is clear is that a peaceful resolution of this issue is to everybody’s interest. Even if we assume, for the sake of argument, that there are legitimate grievances, the presence of an armed group in Lahad Datu will only bring us further away from resolving these issues.

 Let me say to Sultan Jamalul Kiram III: I have just been made aware that a letter to me, from you, was sent through OPAPP in the very first weeks of my term, when we were organizing the government. Unfortunately, this letter was lost in the bureaucratic maze. Let me make clear that there was no intention to ignore your letter. Knowing this now, will you let your mistaken belief dictate your course of action?

The avenue of peaceful and open dialogue is still available to us. Let us therefore sit down as brothers to address your grievances in a peaceful, calm manner according to our laws and according to correct processes when your people arrive home.

And so this is my appeal to you: These are your people, and it behooves you to recall them. It must be clear to you that this small group of people will not succeed in addressing your grievances, and that there is no way that force can achieve your aims.

You are a leader of your clan, and every leader seeks the well-being of his constituents. These times require you to use your influence to prevail on our countrymen to desist from this hopeless cause.

The action of these people purporting to be your followers, endangers more than just their own lives. They also put at risk our countrymen peacefully engaged in their livelihood in Sabah. These are hundreds of thousands of individuals. Their families, dependent on their wages, are likewise being made to suffer. Filipinos residing in Basilan, Sulu, and Tawi-Tawi, who trade with Sabah, have had their commerce disrupted. Most of these people are your fellow Muslims. This is a situation that cannot persist. If you are truly the leader of your people, you should be one with us in ordering your followers to return home peacefully. As President and chief executor of our laws, I have tasked an investigation into possible violations of laws by you, your followers, and collaborators engaged in this foolhardy act. May I remind you as well that as a citizen of the Republic, you are bound by the constitution and its laws. Among your possible violations is Article II Section 2 of the Constitution, which states that the Philippines renounces war as an instrument of national policy, the enabling law of which is Article 118 of the Revised Penal Code, which punishes those who “provoke or give occasion for a war…or expose Filipino citizens to reprisals on their persons or property.” Thus, you are now fully aware of the consequences of your actions.

We have not yet reached the point of no return, but we are fast approaching that point.

My duty is very clear: it is to protect the interests of all of our people, and if that is not possible, then to do what will redound to the interests of the greatest majority. This is the time to demonstrate that you are a true leader both in name and deed. The right thing to do now would be to order your followers to return home as soon as possible. The choices and consequences are yours. If you choose not to cooperate, the full force of the laws of the state will be used to achieve justice for all who have been put in harm’s way.

[[*]] This video includes the Q&A after the delivery of the President’s statement.[[*]]