It is safe to invest in the country although there are some parts of the South facing threats from the Abu Sayyaf Group, President Duterte assured potential investors recently.
The President presented the country as a safe and profitable investment for businessmen when he spoke before the Nikkei’s 25th international conference on the future of Asia in Japan.
“Are we safe there? Is the place where we intend to put up the factory or the business safe enough for you? It is safe,” Duterte said in his remarks.
“It’s in the lower end, the tail end of – or there’s the Abu Sayyaf. But it’s near Malaysia and Indonesia and the influence is… But you have to travel three days to go there. If you are doing business, why should you go there?” he added.
Duterte made the remarks after a Dutch hostage was killed by his Abu Sayyaf captors amid an operation by government troops in Sulu. Ewold Horn, held captive by the Abu Sayyaf militants since 2012, was reportedly shot dead while trying to escape.
Malacanang has condemned the death of Horn and vowed the government will bring the culprits to justice.
In his speech in Tokyo, the President acknowledged that terrorism has threatened the foundations of civilized society, saying it has also made the movement of people “more difficult.”
“As terrorists and violent extremists proceed with their tasks of tearing up the international community, they are forcing us to rethink our ideas of borders and protection,” he said.
Meantime, the President assured investors, including donors of the rehabilitation of Marawi City, that their money is safe in the country. He affirmed his resolve to ensure ease of doing business by fighting red tape and corruption.
“Who wants investments? Who wants it? My country needs it. Now the investors, be it a Japanese, a Chinese, the first thing is: Is our money safe?” Duterte said. “Well in my term, it is safe. Is there no corruption? There is no corruption. I have killed all of them already. Some but not all,” he said, drawing laughter from the audience.
To donors of the Marawi rehabilitation, Duterte told them not to worry, saying their “money is in the bank.”
“They are all pledges. And the money that Japan and everybody contributed are all accounted for. We have not spent the foreign aid assistance. We spent first our own money. I assure you the bank has the money – Central Bank of the Philippines,” he said.
Duterte urged businessmen to immediately report to his office any bribery attempt or irregularity hounding their investment in the country. “That is my promise, that is my guarantee. Your return of investment is yours. You can take your money anytime out. Do not be afraid. We will not stop you,” he said. (Genalyn Kabiling)
