March 16 - 31, 2018
PHILIPPINE ASIAN NEWS TODAY
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Duterte to Canada: How stupid can you get?
Philippine President Rodrigo
Duterte has slammed the Canadian
government for stopping a $233-
million deal to sell 16 helicopters to
the Philippine government.
Speaking at the General
Assembly of the League of the
Municipalities of the Philippines at the
Manila Hotel on March 20, Duterte
criticized Canada’s decision.
“My God, you Canadians, how
stupid can you get? Our citizens are
joining ISIS so we have every right to
kill our citizens because we do not
want to destroy the community with
apathy,” Duterte said.
The Philippine military had
already canceled the deal following a
directive from Duterte.
“Tingnan mo how stupid the
Canadians are, very stupid. Pumayag
sila na mapagbili. Noong ma-deliver
na sabi nila, ‘Ah but you cannot
use these for military or punitive
actions by the police. This is only
good for evacuation and ‘yung mga
humanitarian... You cannot use these
against your own citizens,’” Duterte
said.
Since coming to power in June
2016, Duterte has been known as one
of Asia’s most outspoken leaders.
The Philippines has been fighting
Islamic extremism in recent years.
Groups affiliated to ISIS had
been operating in the Asian country
since 2014.
Tensions
between
extremist groups and the
government culminated with
the Marawi Siege, a five-
month conflict that has cost
thousands of lives.
Last February, Canadian
Trade
Minister
Francois-
Philippe Champagne revealed
that the deal with the
Philippines would be placed
under review.
The move came after
it emerged the helicopters might
be used in operations by Philippine
police and military that could violate
human rights.
“You jerks,” Duterte continued,
“[that’s why] we bought helicopters,
because we want to use them and
then you sell us something we can’t
use anymore.”
The helicopters were designed
by a U.S. company, Bell, but are
manufactured in Canada. The
model that the Philippines wants to
purchase is the 412EPI, which the
company advertises as being for
commercial use.
Canadian Prime Minister Justin
Trudeau appears to have been the
target of a previous outburst by
Duterte in November last year.
After a summit of the Association
of Southeast Nations in Manila,
Duterte criticized leaders for raising
questions about his war on drugs.
Duterte said that time, “It’s a
personal and official insult.”
Duterte also added , “I will
not answer to any other bulls**t,
especially foreigners. Lay off.”
Trudeau dismissed the idea that
these comments related to him.
Trudeau claimed that the
meeting with Duterte had been “a
very cordial and positive exchange”.
Defense
Secretary
Delfin
Lorenzana had earlier said that 16 Bell
412 choppers the Armed Forces of
the Philippines was supposed to buy
from Canada will primarily be used
for the transportation of personnel
and supplies, ferrying wounded and
injured soldiers, and the conduct of
humanitarian assistance and disaster
response operations.
Lorenzana said the purpose of
the choppers was to “save lives.”
The military is now looking at
South Korea, Russia, China, and
Turkey as potential new supplier of
the helicopters.
Prime Minister welcomes third report from the Canada-United States
Council for Advancement of Women Entrepreneurs and Business Leaders
The Prime Minister, Justin
Trudeau, today issued the following
statement to welcome the third
report from the Canada-United
States Council for Advancement
of Women Entrepreneurs and
Business Leaders:
“I am pleased to welcome today
the Canada-United States Council
for Advancement of Women
Entrepreneurs
and
Business
Leaders’ third report, which
explores how we can encourage
more women to start their own
businesses and to pursue high
growth enterprises.
“As highlighted in the report, if
we want to better support women
entrepreneurs, we need to address
the challenges they face, including
difficulty
accessing
capital,
finding meaningful mentorship
opportunities, and a lack of
contacts with large buyers.
“I thank the Council for their
recommendations,
including
campaigns to promote and inspire
women entrepreneurs, provide
better access to data, implement
more tools and programs
to support women pursuing
high growth firms, and reduce
gender biases faced by women
entrepreneurs.
“With women starting close
to half of all new businesses in
Canada, it’s clear that supporting
women entrepreneurs is essential
to growing Canada’s economy.
Budget 2018 puts gender equality
at the centre – including
through a new Women
Entrepreneurship Strategy
– because we know that
women’s success is vital
to growing our economy
and strengthening the
middle class.
“ Wo m e n - l e d
businesses are key to
boosting our economic
growth and creating
more good, well-paying
jobs. Working with our
partners like the United
States, Canada will ensure
women
entrepreneurs
succeed.”(PM
Trudeau
website)
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