MANILA, Sept. 5 (Xinhua) -- Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte left here on Monday for Laos, where he will seek better efforts to address terrorism and extreme violence at the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) summit.
Duterte will be joining his counterparts in the 28th and 29th ASEAN Summit and Related Summits, his first international gathering since he assumed office on June 30.
"Recent events have shown that there are elements out there to sow terror and wreak havoc in our society. We remain firm in our resolve to combat terrorism in all its forms and manifestations," he said in his departure speech in the southern city of Davao, which was rocked by an explosion Friday night, leaving 14 people dead and 70 others injured.
"I will use the opportunity for meeting with other ASEAN leaders and ASEAN dialogue partners to seek better support to regional efforts to address terrorism and violent extremism," he said.
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