Meeting with the Filipino Community in Myanmar (Speech) 3/19/2017

Horizon Lake View Resort, Nay Pyi Taw
March 19, 2017

More than 200 Filipinos traveled five (5) hours from Yangon going to Nay Pyi Taw to personally see President Rodrigo Roa Duterte in the Filipino community meeting on the first day of his official visit to the Republic of the Union of Myanmar.

Majority of the Filipinos in Myanmar are based in Yangon and a good number of them immediately registered to participate in the Filipino community meeting upon learning the news from the Philippine Embassy in Yangon.

In his message, President Duterte reiterated his commitment to stop graft and corruption in the government, saying that he already fired 92 officials from various government offices. He encouraged the Filipinos to be assertive and not be cowed in fear from reporting corrupt practices of government employees or agencies. “Do not give in,” he stressed.

He also discussed the fight against illegal drugs, staking his life, honor and dignity in order to protect the next generation of Filipinos. “I have to go after the drug lords and run after them,” he added.

The President expressed his gratitude to the Myanmar government and its people for graciously hosting the Filipinos residing and working in the country. He said that his visit aims to further strengthen relations with the neighboring nation.

According to Philippine Ambassador to Myanmar Alex Chua, the number of Filipinos peaked to 1,848, nearly triple the 590 registrants back in 2013. “Majority are professionals working as engineers, teachers, managers, lawyers and humanitarian workers. As teachers, Filipinos contribute to building Myanmar’s human resources. As humanitarian workers, they provide assistance in difficult frontline conditions,” Ambassador Chua said.

President Duterte won in the Overseas Absentee Voting (OAV) in Myanmar, garnering 56% of the overseas Filipino votes in the May 2016 elections.

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