Formal peace talks are scheduled to resume in Oslo, Norway, next month.

'Relentless' fight vs. corruption, crime

Recalling his promises during the election campaign, Duterte said his administration's
fight against crime, illegal drugs, and corruption "will be relentless and sustained."
"We will not stop until the last drug lord, the last financier, and the last [drug] pusher
have surrendered or [have been] put behind bars or below the ground if they so
wish," he said.
He also warned police officers and government officials involved in crime. "Abuse your
authority, and there will be hell to pay for you would have become worse than
criminality itself," he said.
Duterte ordered the National Police Commission to speed up the investigation of cases
of officers linked to crime. He also directed the Napolcom to suggest policies for making
lifestyle checks on the police.
Inter-agency fight vs. drugs
Duterte said his administration will create an inter-agency committee to deal with illegal
drugs and integrate efforts and strengthen partnerships of all "stakeholders." He said
the armed forces will prepare military camps to be used for drug rehabilitation.
Military reservists will be mobilized for an information campaign against drug use, and
dissemination of information regarding the drug rehabilitation program.
Duterte said the government will prioritize the rehabilitation of drug users as residential
treatment and rehabilitation facilities are established all over the country.
'Full force' vs. Abu Sayyaf
Duterte said the "full force" of the AFP will be applied "to crush" the terrorist Abu Sayyaf
group, whom he described as "criminals who operate under the guise of religious
fervor."
Among other things, he plans to increase coordination with Malaysia and Indonesia and
strengthen the government's counter-terrorism program by amending various laws on
terrorism, terrorism financing and cyber crime. He did not specify the amendments.

Maritime row with China

Duterte also stood by the Arbitral Tribunal's decision that favored the Philippines in its
arbitration against Chinas claims to virtually all of the South China Sea.
We strongly affirm and respect the outcome of the case before the Permanent Court of
Arbitration as an important contribution to the ongoing efforts to pursue a peaceful
resolution and management of our disputes, Duterte said.
The five-member Arbitral Tribunal upheld the Manilas position that Chinas nine-dash
line maritime claim is excessive and encroached into the Philippines' 200-nautical mile
exclusive economic zone (EEZ).
Duterte has appointed former President Fidel V. Ramos to stand as the country's
special envoy to China in talks over the maritime dispute.