The ASEAN Summit major highlights

From the perspective of labor-sending countries like the Philippines, Indonesia, Cambodia, Laos PDR, Thailand, Vietnam, and Cambodia, perhaps the landmark accomplishment of the just-concluded summit was the historic signing of the ASEAN Accord on the Protection and Promotion of the Rights of Migrant Workers. Singapore and Malaysia signed the agreement, after decades of refusal to be bound by any such conventions. There are half a million documented Filipino workers in Malaysia and about a million undocumented. The documented ones are in the peninsula, and the undocumented are in Borneo, particularly in the states of Sabah and Sarawak, as well as in the federal island territory of Labuan.

As a former labor diplomat to Malaysia, I applaud President Duterte for finally succeeding in such a vital convention which presidents FVR and GMA failed to achieve, and which PNoy ignored and Erap did not have time to even consider. This document would mean that the thousands of detained Filipino workers in Kota Kinabalu, Sandakan, Lahad Datu, Sihu, and other enclaves will now be entitled to better treatment by the Malaysian immigration and police authorities. In Singapore, we have still many unanswered questions on the manner the justice system of that city-state treated the murder of Delia Maga and the prosecution and execution of Flor Contemplacion, both domestic helpers in the '90s.

The other highlights of the summit were the discussions by the ASEAN 10 and China on the Code of Conduct in the South China Sea. What the Chinese are doing is a classic good cop-bad cop strategy. In the bargaining, arbitration, and diplomatic tables, they act as good cops, sending their most good-looking and smoothtalking diplomats to talk of vague principles and general statements. But onsite, they build structures and reclaim lands, establishing their de facto foothold on the islands and shoals that all belong to us by historic title and generally accepted maritime and navigation rights. All these notwithstanding, the summit succeeded in conveying to China that most of the ASEAN members are not happy with its bullying in the region. Only Cambodia and Laos are ambivalent being beneficiaries of China's billions in aid.

What matters most, at the end of the day is that the summit succeeded in pushing its six thematic priorities: A people-oriented and a people-centered ASEAN, peace and stability in the region, maritime security and cooperation, inclusive and innovation-led growth, ASEAN resiliency, and a model of regionalism and a global player. With a combined market of 650 million people and a combined GDP of billions of US dollars, the world can no longer ignore Southeast Asia. It is the leading source of human capital and it is the number one market for goods and services. The summit was true to its theme: Partnering for Change and Engaging the World. Mabuhay!