MANILA, Philippines What did the 10-nation bloc accomplish after a series of meetings during

the recently-concluded 31st ASEAN Summit hosted by the Philippines?

The meetings saw the regions leaders come to the Philippines, along with their partner-world
leaders from the United States, Russia, China, India, Canada, New Zealand, Australia, and the
European Union. The United Nations Secretary-General was also in attendance.

They hailed progress in various fields from counter-terrorism to migrant rights, but how strong of
an impact do these agreements actually have?

Here are among the top accomplishments of the 2017 ASEAN Summit according to the regional
bloc, and how they stand up to scrutinty.

1. Consensus document on migrant rights

After a decade, ASEAN finally made progress in ensuring the protection of migrant workers by
signing the ASEAN Consensus on the Protection and Promotion of the Rights of Migrant
Workers on Tuesday, November 14. This consensus is a follow-up document to the "ASEAN
Declaration on the Protection and Promotion of the Rights of Migrant Workers" adopted in
January 2007 in Cebu.

Among others, it includes provisions on fair treatment of migrant workers, visitation rights by
family members, prohibition against confiscation of passports and overcharging of placement or
recruitment fees, protection against violence and sexual harassment in the workplace, regulation
of recruiters for better protection of workers, and the right to fair and appropriate remuneration
benefits and their right to join trade unions and association.

Verdict: Some impact

The document has yet to provide protection for those victimized by illegal recruiters. Families are
allowed to visit, but the current document has no reunification clauses. There is also a need to
harmonize ASEAN policies so that every country has the same framework to follow. For instance,
the Philippines may have a zero placement fee for domestic workers, but this may not be
honored in other countries.

These are important points the current document has not addressed.

The document took 10 years because of differences between countries of origin (or those that
send migrants like the Philippine and Indonesia) and countries of destination (those that accept
migrants like Singapore and Malaysia).

The stickiest point had always been whether the document would be legally binding. This is why
it has taken this long to reach a consensus. Unfortunately, a closer look at the follow-up
document shows that this delicate issue has yet to be resolved.

"Of course we also need a basis for us to take our governments to task. So we have a declaration
but there's not much teeth in it. Now we have a consensus and now there is a moral high ground
and hopefully a legal high ground," Ellene Sana, executive director of the Center for Migrant
Advocacy, told Rappler on Wednesday, November 15.

Sana said ASEAN must, at the very least, have a plan of action along with the document.

"Something that can be very specific and targeted, that's the next battleground. To have a
program which they can abide by, countries of destination should have a commitment. This is
something we all look forward to... one step at a time."

2. North Korea discussions

Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe on Tuesday, November 14, said world leaders belonging to
the East Asia Summit shared an unprecedented sense of crisis over North Koreas continued
provocations and recent missile tests. North Korea and its recent missile nuclear developments
have triggered the outrage and condemnation of countries around the world.
It was among the top issues that were discussed during the ASEAN Summit in Manila and the
Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Summit in Vietnam.

AGREEMENTS. World leaders at ASEAN Summit 2017 discuss issues like North Korea, South
China Sea, and trade. Screenshot by Rappler

AGREEMENTS. World leaders at ASEAN Summit 2017 discuss issues like North Korea, South
China Sea, and trade. Screenshot by Rappler

The Chairman's statement said, "We expressed grave concerns over the recent provocative and
threatening actions, including the nuclear test, by the Democratic Peoples Republic of Korea
(DPRK) on 3 September 2017 and its ballistic missile tests over the past year, which are in
contravention of U.N. Security Council Resolutions."

The statement also "reiterated our support for the denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula in a
peaceful manner and called for the exercise of self restraint and the resumption of dialogue in
order to de-escalate tensions and create conditions conducive to peace and stability."

Verdict: High impact

It was deeply important for ASEAN to speak out against the issue because the region will be
among those that will be directly affected if tensions were to escalate between North Korea and
the United States.

ASEAN also finds itself in a special position of impact, which it does not necessarily have with
other global issues. While one ASEAN country may not be listened to by North Korea's Kim Jong-
un, a united regional voice especially because ASEAN trades with Korea would hold much
ground.

Thankfully, ASEAN did not waver in its wordings when dealing with North Korea, condemning it
in strong, clear language.
Richard Heydarian, a political scientist, pointed out that it is "only the ASEAN regional forum and
other related meetings where you have North Korea directly engaging other major stakeholders
like Japan, Russia, and others."

Heydarian said ASEAN has been "extremely critical... and weve seen this consistently in the past
months." This is important, he said, because "if Japan, South Korea, and ASEAN are on board,
then China will also be pressured."

3. Code of Conduct talks with China

Leaders of ASEAN and China agreed to start talks on a Code of Conduct (COC) in the South China
Sea, the Philippine Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) said Monday evening, November 13.

ASEAN hails this as their and China's biggest milestone for the past 15 years in crafting a Code of
Conduct in the South China Sea. The COC is a document to ensure peace and stability in the
South China Sea, building on the non-legally binding Declaration on the Conduct of Parties on
the South China Sea.

On the South China Sea, the ASEAN Chairman's Statement said, "We likewise reaffirmed the
importance of maintaining and promoting peace, security, stability, maritime safety and security,
rules-based order and freedom of navigation in and overflight above the South China Sea."

"In this regard, we further reaffirmed the need to enhance mutual trust and confidence,
emphasized the importance of non-militarization and self-restraint in the conduct of all activities
by claimants and all other states, including those mentioned in the DOC that could further
complicate the situation and escalate tensions in the South China Sea, and stressed the need to
adhere to the peaceful resolution of disputes, in accordance with universally recognized
principles of international law and the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea
(Unclos)," the statement added.

In July 2016, Manila won a historic case against Beijing over the South China Sea, but Philippine
President Rodrigo Duterte has chosen to downplay this legal victory for the sake of better ties
with China. China has claimed large areas of the South China Sea, which several ASEAN countries
are also claimants of.

DREDGING WORK. This satellite image taken on November 30, 2016 and released on December
9, 2016 by US-based Planet Labs shows dredging work (C below) on a small reef under
Vietnamese control in the South China Sea. Image by Planet Labs/AFP

DREDGING WORK. This satellite image taken on November 30, 2016 and released on December
9, 2016 by US-based Planet Labs shows dredging work (C below) on a small reef under
Vietnamese control in the South China Sea. Image by Planet Labs/AFP

Verdict: Low impact

While ASEAN was harsh in its approach to North Korea, it was much more reserved in its
approach to China. This wording is milder compared to past statements.

In fact, the statement was a win for China, who has gotten away with no consequences despite
its agression in disputed areas in past years even walking away with a better relationship with
ASEAN.

It has also not helped that the Philippines, which has won a case against China at the arbitral
tribunal in The Hague, Netherlands, on the maritime dispute on the West Philippine Sea, has
said the document does not have to be legally binding.

The inconsistency of the Philippine stance is partly to blame for the region's softened statement
against China. It is also no surprise that China is now open to talk about a code of conduct, with
such a sigificant concession from ASEAN.

Aileen Baviera, a professor at the Asian Center of the University of the Philippines, warned that
"despite the relative calm in the area, strategic distrust and security concerns have grown."

"I frankly doubt that any code will make a difference to the new status quo, especially that even
prior to the restart of negotiations, none other than the Philippines is trying to weaken the
outcome by not insisting on a binding agreement."

ASEAN-CHINA RELATIONS. Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi (3rd R) and foreign ministers from
ASEAN member-nations attend a special ASEAN-China foreign ministers' meeting in Yuxi,
southwest China's Yunnan Province on June 14, 2016. Stringer/AFP

ASEAN-CHINA RELATIONS. Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi (3rd R) and foreign ministers from
ASEAN member-nations attend a special ASEAN-China foreign ministers' meeting in Yuxi,
southwest China's Yunnan Province on June 14, 2016. Stringer/AFP

Ateneo School of Government Dean Ronald Mendoza was slightly more optimistic, calling it
"potentially an important milestone, as it could help to advance stability in the region and
perhaps serve as the precursor to deeper maritime cooperation among the claimant countries."

But he too was quick to raise concerns such as how other stakeholders will be involved, or
whether the COC will cohere with the Hague arbitration decision that ruled in favor of the
Philippines, among others.

4. Regional counter-terrorism strategy

ASEAN member-countries placed strong emphasis on the aspect of deradicalization in

rehabilitation and reintegration programs as part of comprehensive measures in countering
terrorism, according to the "Manila Declaration To Counter The Rise of Radicalization and
Violent Extremism" released on Tuesday, November 14.

Among the things included in the declaration were a commitment to sustain long-term efforts to
propagate moderation in conflict areas, especially among the youth through dialogue, education,
community engagement, and strategic messaging on social media.

DESTRUCTION. The siege by ISIS-backed terrorists of Marawi proves much work needs to be
done by the region on counter-terrorism. Photo by Rappler

DESTRUCTION. The siege by ISIS-backed terrorists of Marawi proves much work needs to be
done by the region on counter-terrorism. Photo by Rappler

The regional group said they will develop a comprehensive regional communications campaign
plan to counter radical narratives. (READ: UN vows to help ASEAN in counter-terrorism efforts)

They stressed the need for an evidence-based approach to do all these.

On the Chairman's statement, ASEAN reiterated their "strong condemnation of violent

extremism and terrorism in all its forms and manifestations. We are committed to effectively
implement the ASEAN Convention on Counter Terrorism (ACCT), while taking into account the
international instruments and guidelines, including the UN Global Counter Terrorism Strategy,
and the United Nations Plan of Action to Prevent Violent Extremism through de-radicalization,
preventive education, involvement of women and youth as well as the promotion of peace and
moderation as a counter-narrative."

Verdict: High impact

After the Marawi siege, the counter-terrorism declaration comes at a crucial time. Unlike other
topics, this declaration was one that ASEAN appropriately acted upon in a timely manner.

What's more encouraging, is that ASEAN countries have already started working on partnerships
and cooperating, even before this document. For instance, Malaysia, Indonesia and the
Philippines took it upon themselves to work together to patrol maritime borders, given terror
activities in the Sulu Sea.

This shows the urgency and the initiative of countries to act quickly. This document paves the
way for more similar cooperation.

"I think there's absolute consensus, there's a sense of urgency. Those two put together makes
me feel I would rather bet on these as something ASEAN can boast about in years and decades
to come," Heydarian said.
He said basic things like information sharing, tracking movement of most wanted individuals in
the region, financial trasanctions, and others can hopefully be regularized following the signing
of the document through "a coordination mechanism, that is inter-agency and international."

5. Engaging Trump

US President Donald Trumps trip to the Philippines focused on promoting a free and open Indo-
Pacific region based on shared principles, and strengthening international resolve to
denuclearize North Korea.

After the US-ASEAN Summit, the leaders released a joint statement reiterating their
commitment to, among others, peaceful resolution of disputes; sovereignty; peace, security and
stability in the region; and economic growth and engagement between ASEAN and the US.

Trump also highlighted in his trip that the United States under his leadership prefers bilateral
agreements with countries rather than multinational trade like the Trans-Pacific Partnership
(TPP).

Trump lauded his trip, tweeting upon arrival in the United States: "Our great country is respected
again in Asia. You will see the fruits of our long but successful trip for many years to come!"

Verdict: Some impact

Trump's presence and engagement with the region was important because it showed that the US
is still committed to the region.

DIALOGUE PARTNERS. President Duterte joins hands with US President Trump and other ASEAN
Leaders. Jonathan Cellona/Pool

DIALOGUE PARTNERS. President Duterte joins hands with US President Trump and other ASEAN
Leaders. Jonathan Cellona/Pool

After Trump's administration pulled out the TPP, emphasized his "America First" policy, and had
no version of former president Barack Obama's pivot to Asia, the region felt unsure about
America's commitment. This, while China has aggresively and succesfully courted ASEAN
countries.

But Trump, well-behaved, gracious and respectful of ASEAN's traditions even gamely posing for
the ASEAN handshake and at least trying, unlike Russian Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev
calmed some anxiety among leaders in the region.

"Despite assurances of Cabinet advisers, Trump's Asia policy was left wanting. There was no clear
articulation. Trump never mentioned ASEAN at all and it seemed like he was not that informed,"
said Aries Arugay, associate professor of Political Science in the University of the Philippines.

Arugay said now, at the very least, while "the mere time he spent in the region does not really
erase the continued apprehension given China's increasing assertiveness, at least Trump has
ASEAN in his outlook or mindset."

But Arugay also pointed out that of all ASEAN's dialogue partners, the US is among those it
always wants to engage with more.

Where he succeeded in personal relationships, like building a friendship with Duterte, Trump
failed in policy substance. "It's still a global economic and global superpower. ASEAN always
wants more from the US. A lot of them really believe that the US has a role in promoting peace
and stability in the region," he said.

Aside from this, trade was yet another thing that left ASEAN wanting more from the United
States. While he kept emphasizing that he wanted "fair trade" with ASEAN, he failed to articulate
details in the way Obama did with TPP. Rappler.como