(Unclassified if not covering Confidential Document) THIS IS A COVER SHEET Warning: THE UNAUTHORIZED DISCLOSURE OF THE INFORMATION CONTAINED IN THE ATTACHED WHILE NOT ENDANGERING NATIONAL SECURITY WOULD BE PREJUDICIAL TO THE INTEREST OR PRESTIGE OF THE NATION, ANY GOVERNMENTAL WOULD CAUSE ADMINISTRATIVE EMBARRASSMENT OR UNWARRANTED INJURY TO AN INDIVIDUAL, OR WOULD BE OF ADVANTAGE TO A FOREIGN NATION. Responsibility of persons handling the attached document (8): l.Do not leave the document(s) unattended except when properlysecured. 2. Transfer the document(s) only to persons who need to know and who possess the required security clearance. 3. If so required obtain a receipt whenever relinquishing control of the document(s). Storage: Safe or filing cabinet with iron bar and combination padlock Reproduction: Copies may be made of these documents except when the originating office has specifically stated that no copy shall be made without prior authority. Disposition: This cover sheet need not be included when the original document is per- manently filed. DEPARTMENT OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS KAGAWARAN NG UGNAYANG PANLABAS OFFICE OF ASIAN AND PACIFIC AFFAIRS MCP EXTREMELY URGENT AND CONFIDENTIAL MEMORANDUM FOR THE OF Through The Undersecretary for Policy QZ-PAREDES From MILLICE Assistant ecretary Subject Telephone Call between the President and Chinese President Xi Jinping on 03 May 2017 Date 02 May 2017 1. 4. The Of?cer-in-Charge is respectfully informed that there is a scheduled telephone call between the President and Chinese President Xi Jinping on 03 May 2017, The objective of the call would be to discuss the situation in DPRK (North Korea). The Office of the President requested for a DFA senior official and an ASPAC official to be present in Davao City during the telephone call. Executive Director Evangeline Ong Jimenez-Ducrocq and Director Bolivar L. Bao will be representing ASPAC. Respectfully attached is a Memorandum for the President transmitting proposed talking points. For the Officer-in-Charge?s consideration. ]Approved ]Disapproved ARIEL Y. ABADILLA Officer-in-Charge Undersecretary for Civilian Security and Consular Concerns Enclosures: as stated. 2330 Roxas Blvd., Pasay City. 1300 Philippines Tel. No. 834 - 4000 DEPARTMENT OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS KAGAWARAN NG UGNAYANG PANLABAS EXTREMELY URGENT MEMORANDUM FOR THE PRESIDENT Through Cc From Subject Date The Executive Secretary The Special Assistant to the President The Executive Secretary The Cabinet Secretary The Officer-in-Charge, OPP ARIEL Y. ABADILLA Of?cer-in-Charge Undersecretary for Civilian Security and Consular Concerns Telephone Call between the President and Chinese President Xi Jinping on 03 May 2017 02 May 2017 With reference to the scheduled telephone call between the President and Chinese President Xi Jinping on 03 May 2017, the Department respectfully transmits proposed talking points on DPRK (North Korea), and the Belt and Road Forum. For the President's consideration. Enclosure: as stated. 2330 Roxas Blvd., Pasay City. 1300 Philippines Tel. No. 834 - 4000 TALKING POINTS FOR THE TELEPHONE CALL BETWEEN PRESIDENT RODRIGO ROA DUTERTE AND CHINESE PRESIDENT XI JINPING 03 May 2014, Davao City A. DPRK (NORTH KOREA) ON THE SITUATION IN THE KOREAN PENINSULA IN GENERAL: 1. Excellency, I wish to express my concern about the latest developments in the Korean Peninsula, particularly the rising tensions caused by the recent ballistic missile test conducted by the DPRK. I strongly believe that on this matter, peaceful dialogue is the only option, and that war should never be an option to be explored. In light of these alarming developments, we continue to advocate for a peaceful resolution to the ongoing tension in the Korean Peninsula through diplomacy and constructive dialogue between concerned parties. I also call on all parties to exercise restraint and level-headed ness to avoid making the situation worse. I also wish to invite your Excellency?s attention to the ASEAN Foreign Ministers? Statement and the Chairman's Statement, which call on parties to defuse tensions in the Korean Peninsula and create conditions conducive to peace and stability in the region. ON PEACE AND SECURITY IN THE REGION: 4. Excellency, it is my strong belief that China has the potential to play an important role in deescalating tensions in the region, by strongly encouraging the DPRK leadership to act with sobriety and with due regard to peace, stability, and international law. With this in mind, perhaps China may be able to use its good offices to urge, if not prevail upon, DPRK to exercise self-restraint, abide by UNSC resolutions, and cease its nuclear and ballistic weapons tests with due regard for peace and security in the peninsula. This can create the space needed for political dialogue and would be a good first step for parties to mutually undertake actions which are needed to calm the situation and go forward with constructive discussions. While we are aware that parties have their ideas on how to address issues in the Korean Peninsula, China?s key role may ensure that the parties find a way forward. ON NUCLEAR WEAPONS AND MISSILE LAUNCH TESTS: 8. May I convey that the Philippines consistently speaks out in the strongest terms against nuclear weapons development and testing, as well as their ballistic missile launch tests. 9. We have also constantly called on DPRK to abide by the prevailing UN Security Council Resolutions, and to come back to the negotiation table to resolve the issue through peaceful and diplomatic processes. ON DISCUSSIONS ON DPRK DURING THE ASEAN SUMMIT: 10. During the Summit, ASEAN Leaders, including myself, also discussed the situation in the Korean Peninsula. 11.We concurred in the view that the situation in the peninsula is being driven to a perilous edge due to the provocative and aggressive actions of one man in violation of relevant UNSC Resolutions. 12.I suggested to the other ASEAN Leaders to ask China to use its influence on the Leader of North Korea. RAISED ONLY) THAAD DEPLOYMENT IN ROK: 13.l recognize the complexity of the security situation in the Korean Peninsula, and we have always advocated for a peaceful and diplomatic resolution to the prevailing issues with full respect for the rule of law. It is important to note that the THAAD deployment is a key issue in South Korea for the upcoming presidential election on 09 May 2017. (FOR INFORMATION ONLY) ASSASSINATION OF KIM JONG NAM IN MALAYSIA Malaysia and DPRK are currently engaged in bilateral discussion on this matter. Kim Jong-nam, the elder half-brother of North Korean leader Kim Jong-un, was assassinated by two women operatives using liquid poison in Kuala Lumpur International Airport 2, Malaysia at around 93m on 13 February. He was travelling to Macau with a passport that identi?ed him as Kim Chol. His killing is now the highest profile death under the Kim Jong-un regime since December 2013. Jong-nam was the eldest son of Kim Jong-il, former leader of DPRK and was once considered the heir to his father but fell out of favor following an embarrassing attempt to enter Japan with a forged passport back in 2001. He had been living incognito in exile in Macau with his family. According to international media?, his remains were repatriated to the DPRK on 28 March 2017. During the course of the investigation by Malaysian authorities, several North Korean nationals were sought for questioning, including an official of the DPRK embassy in Kuala Lumpur. It was also revealed that the chemical used on Jong-nam was VX nerve agent, a banned substance classi?ed as a weapon of mass destruction. DPRK reacted negatively to the investigation, casting aspersions on Malaysia?s objectivity and impartiality. This resulted in the expulsion of the DPRK ambassador from Malaysia and the recall of the Malaysian ambassador from Pyongyang. 1 fo r?s afe-return-of?citizens/ The situation further deteriorated after DPRK announced Malaysian nationals in North Korea will not be allowed to leave the country. Malaysia followed suit, but later clari?ed that only of?cials of the DPRK embassy in Kuala Lumpur will be barred from leaving Malaysia and all other North Korean nationals will be allowed to exit the country. North Korea has also demanded that Jong-nam?sremains be immediately released to the DPRK government. Noting the escalation of the diplomatic row between the two countries, a draft statement was circulated expressing understanding of Malaysia?s reaction and support for Malaysia?s call to ?nd a peaceful resolution to the impasse. However, ASEAN was not able to release the statement on the issue as consensus was not reached on the statement?s language. B. BELT AND ROAD FORUM IN CHINA 1. Thank you for inviting the Philippines to participate in the Belt and Road Forum. I wish you success on your hosting of the event. 2. I look forward to participating in the Leader?s Roundtable of the Belt and Road Forum on May 15. 3. The Forum will be an excellent opportunity to exchange views on how we can find mutually satisfactory arrangements to ensure compatibility between Philippine development priorities and development plans and China?s Belt and Road Initiative. 4. I will be bringing a large delegation. I hope that we can build on the momentum on practical cooperation, particularly on infrastructure projects. 5. I look forward to our bilateral meeting on the sidelines of the Forum. (FOR INFORMATION ONLY) The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) is currently negotiating a Joint Communique, to be adopted by the participating Leaders during the Leaders? Roundtable of the Belt and Road Forum on 15 May 2017. Proposed by China, the draft outcome document includes the following sections: General Context, Cooperation Objectives, (0) Cooperation Principles, Important Measures, and Our Vision for the Future.