[MUSIC PLAYING]
Our CBN News Asia
correspondent Lucille Talusan
joins us via Skype from Manila.
Lucile, this was the 50th
anniversary event for ASEAN,
the Association of
Southeast Asian Nations.
And I know economic and trade
issues were on the agenda,
but North Korea
dominated those meetings.
What was the concern expressed
by the ASEAN countries?
During their speeches,
they expressed their concern
over the escalating tension
on the Korean peninsula.
So it really affects
them as well, not just
Japan and South Korea?
Oh yes, they're calling on
the denuclearization of North
Korea and the Korean peninsula.
Now, Lucile,
those ASEAN meetings
are usually attended by the 10
Southeast Asian member states.
But I know this one,
the 50th anniversary,
was called 10 plus 3.
And of course, the
plus 3, Russia, China,
the United States.
How important was it to have
US Secretary of State Tillerson
there?
It really showed
that the United States
is really interested in the
issues happening, the problems
that are happening in the
region, in the Asia Pacific.
And particularly with the
escalating threat, the growing
threat of terrorism, and also
about the disputed territories
in the South China Sea.
Well, I want to talk to
you about those disputed
territories in a minute.
But China seemed
to play a big role
with some very strong
statements about North Korea.
What did the Chinese
Foreign Minister say?
Well Foreign Minister Wang
Yi had a closed door meeting
with North Korean
Foreign Minister Ri.
And Wang Yi was telling
North Korean Minister
to obey and to abide by the
rules being given by the United
Nations, and for them to stop
developing their missiles
and stop launching
missile testing.
So maybe President
Trump is finally
getting out of the Chinese
what he's looking for,
them putting pressure
on North Korea.
In addition to that UN
boat imposing sanctions.
And Chinese Foreign
Minister Yang--
Wang Yi, told Tillerson
and the ASEAN member
states of the South China
Sea situation has stabilized.
That China and its
neighbors are now
working out territorial
differences through dialogue.
Is that true, Lucille?
And are ASEAN
members now accepting
Chinese dominance there, and
its construction of new islands?
I think it's contrary to
what the communique stated.
And they're calling for the
militarization of the area,
and that is what China is doing.
That's not really
what is happening,
what Wang Yi was saying.
Lucille, Tillerson
seemed pleased
with China's position supporting
the economic sanctions
against North Korea.
And China wants to see a
return to six party talks.
China is advancing a concept
now called double suspension.
So what is double
suspension, and how
likely is it that
talks with North Korea
will eventually resume?
Yes.
Well Wang Yi was suggesting
for double suspension,
meaning suspension of
US military exercises
in South Korea, and
suspension of the North Korea
launching of missiles,
of ballistic missiles.
Well, Tillerson,
I know, also met
with your president,
Philippine President Duterte,
and expressed his willingness
to cooperate and help
your country with its fight
against ISIS terrorists
in southern Philippines.
And I know you were down there
not too long ago in Mindanao.
Yes.
What might happen there?
How will the US help?
Recently the
Pentagon is suggesting
that they can launch
airstrikes in the Philippines.
The US will be not
only helping in terms
of sharing intelligence
and training,
but they themselves will
launch the airstrikes
against the ISIS--
well at first we call them
ISIS linked, the multi group.
But now I'm surprised
that we are already
referring to them as ISIS.
So the problem there
is really very serious.
And this is the third month,
Gary, of the battle in Marawi.
Well-- well do you think
this will actually happen?
Will-- I know Duterte
has had some issues
with the United States, and
also with President Trump.
So, do you actually think
that these airstrikes, US
airstrikes, will take place?
Um.
I believe so.
Because the
Philippine military is
one of the weakest
in Southeast Asia.
So I, I believe that, you
know, it could happen.
Yeah.
OK well we'll wait
and see on that.
And I can't let you go,
Lucille, without asking
about Secretary
Tillerson's visit
to the US military
cemetery in Manila.
Now, he placed a wreath in honor
of America's fallen soldiers
from World War II.
How significant, and important,
was that visit, Lucille,
for both our country, and for
the people of the Philippines?
Well, it's very significant.
There are around-- more
than 17,000 headstones
in that cemetery, and headstones
of American soldiers who died.
And 36-- around 36,000 missing.
And so, it's really
very significant
and it just shows how Americans
would really fight for freedom
and how Americans fought for
the freedom of the Philippines.
And, actually, Gary in the guest
book Secretary Tillerson wrote,
"let us never forget freedom."
And this is very
indicative that--
of what the Americans, or
the US, is willing to do.
The Americans are willing
to die for freedom.
And it shows a
close relationship
with the Philippines,
does it not,
that we've had for
many, many years.
Yes.
Lucille Talusan, our
correspondent in Manila.
Thank you for joining us.
Thank you, Gary.