At the 31st special session of the United Nations General Assembly in response to the coronavirus disease (Covid-19) pandemic early this month, Rodrigo Duterte supported the secretary general’s global call for a halt to all fighting at the end of the year.
“The Philippines will continue to protect the human rights of its people, especially from the scourge of illegal drugs, criminality, and terrorism,” Duterte told world leaders in the UN assembly.
“When the world finds that vaccine, access to it must not be denied nor withheld. It should be made available to all, rich and poor nations alike, as a matter of policy,” Duterte said.
Foreign Affairs Sec. Teodoro Locsin Jr. made it clear to the international community that a “strong government is better”, adding that governments are built in the first place to “get things done” as long as it is consistent with their respective constitutions.