A Primer on ASEAN Volume 1 Edited by: Carlos C. Tabunda, Jr. A Primer on ASEAN Philippines and India: Strengthening ASEAN-India Partnership Celebrating 25 Years of ASEAN – India Partnership Copyright © 2019 Published by: New Era University ISBN: 978-971-799-015-6 All rights reserved. No part of this book may be used, reproduced, or stored in any form or by any means without the permission of the publisher except in the case of brief quotations in connection with feature articles, blogs, critical essays, and reviews. DISCLAIMER: The views and opinions expressed in this book are those of the speakers or experts and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of the New Era University. Printed in the Republic of the Philippines 2 | A Primer on ASEAN CONTENTS MESSAGES 5 FOREWORD 6 QUESTION 7 What is ASEAN? 7-8 ASEAN member-states: 9-11 What was SEATO? 12 What was MAPHILINDO? What was its goal and why did it fail to come to fruition? 13-14 What is Timor-Leste not yet a member of ASEAN? 15-16 What is the ASEAN Community and what are its “three pillars”? 17-19 What is ASEAN identity and how can it be built and promoted? 20-21 What does ASEAN do to promote regional awareness among its citizenry? 22-23 What does the term “ASEAN Centrality” mean? 24-25 What are the native languages spoken in the ASEAN member-states? 26-27 What are the major religions in Southeast Asia? 28-29 What is ASEAN doing to address the issues regarding the environment? 30-31 How does ASEAN promote and protect women’s rights? 32-33 Given that many of its member-states have been identified as “transit stations” of the illicit drug trade, what steps has ASEAN taken in combating illegal drug trade? 34-35 Does the ASEAN Charter guarantee freedom of religion and religious practice for its citizens? 36-38 What is the ASEAN position on nuclear weapons proliferation in the region? 39 What is the purpose of the ASEAN Economic Community? How will integration affect Southeast Asia’s economies? 40 What are the efforts of the ASEAN in supporting and empowering persons with disabilities (PWD)? 41-42 What are the joint efforts among ASEAN member-states regarding disaster management and resilience? 43-44 What are the efforts of ASEAN to protect the rights of migrant workers? 45-46 BIBLIOGRAPHY 47-48 APPENDIX 49-56 | 3 Editorial Section Editor Carlos C. Tabunda, Jr. Writers Bro. Neil Bryan M. Tarray Marneah Jeane D. Mangawang Editorial Staff Bro. Zaldy Petorio Jasmin M. Danao Angeli Michelle T. Mendoza Design and Layout NEU Information Office NEU Press & Publications Office Cover Design Augusto E. Dreo 4 | A Primer on ASEAN New Era University NO. 9 CENTRAL AVENUE NEW ERA, QUEZON CITY 1107 PHILIPPINES OFFICE OF THE UNIVERSITY PRESIDENT Message I would like to offer my heartfelt congratulations to our brothers and sisters at the New Era University-ASEAN Studies Center for the successful launching of the ASEAN Primer book. Indeed, this accomplishment stands as a fitting milestone to the many endeavors undertaken by your Center in order to promote knowledge and understanding about our ASEAN community. It is my hope that this volume, along with many other publications, activities, and projects of the ASC, will continue to benefit our NEU family and add luster to the name of our beloved Institution. In this day and age, we as a people and as individuals cannot afford to turn our backs on our regional neighbors. Nor can we go on living out our lives entirely ignorant of the richness and diversity of culture, religion, politics, and economics that characterizes our region. As Filipinos who aspire to be competent in the global arena, we need not look far for examples and sources of inspiration as our fellow Southeast Asians continue to blaze the way towards the realization of the “Asian Century”. Of course, we here at New Era University are also playing our part and we do not shrink from the challenges of tomorrow. I sincerely hope that this first book will help bridge the gap in knowledge and familiarity that some might have with regards to our ASEAN neighbors. I call on our students, faculty, and alumni of the New Era University to continue to do their best in promoting and achieving our vision and mission. May this published work of the ASC serve as an inspiration to all of you as you trudge your way towards the realization of your dreams. Maraming salamat po at mabuhay ang New Era University. DR. NILO L. ROSAS MESSAGE | 5 FOREWORD By Dr. Carlos C. Tabunda Jr., DPA The year 2017 was a momentous year for the Association of Southeast Asian Nations. It was when the organization celebrated its 50th foundation day. In August 8, 1967, the five foreign ministers of Thailand, the Philippines, Indonesia, Singapore and Malaysia gathered together in Bangkok to sign the declaration that aimed, among others, to “accelerate the economic growth, social progress and cultural development in the region through joint endeavors in the spirit of equality and partnership”, to “promote regional peace and stability through abiding respect for justice and the rule of law”, and to “promote active collaboration and mutual assistance on matters of common interest in the economic, social, cultural, technical, scientific and administrative fields”. Since that day in 1967, ASEAN’s membership has grown to 10, and it has developed into one of the most dynamic economic blocs in the world today. For the Philippines, the year 2017 held a double significance. The country was chairman of ASEAN that year, the fourth time in five decades, hence, it was able to steer the discussions and agreements that transpired. Since the 50th anniversary of the ASEAN coincided with the chairmanship, the half-century observance activities happened here. One of the highlights of the anniversary celebration was the recognition of the contributions of the five founding fathers of ASEAN who signed the Bangkok Declaration 50 years ago. For the Philippines, it was former President Fidel V. Ramos who went up the stage to receive the award of recognition for his father, former Foreign Secretary Narciso R. Ramos. So what has ASEAN accomplished through the years? Ambassador Rodolfo C. Severino, Jr., a former ASEAN Secretary General, said that the greatest achievement of ASEAN has been the preservation of peace in the region. Many books and articles have been written detailing and assessing the organization’s performance and where its future directions should be. But beyond the assessments and predictions, what is of equal but more urgent importance is creating awareness on what the organization is and what are its purposes. Established on February 2016, the New Era University-ASEAN Studies Center (NEU-ASC) aims to serve as a knowledge hub that supports the creation and development of in-depth knowledge about ASEAN and its people. Among others, it aims to develop a well-equipped research facility including a collection of books, magazines, and other audio and video materials. Through its partnership with the Eagle Broadcasting Corporation, it has produced episodes on ASEAN- related program both on TV and radio, as well as online, which it aims to publish soon. As a major step in creating awareness, the NEU-ASC is releasing this first volume on “A Primer on ASEAN” which it aims to distribute primarily to students and faculty members. It is hoped that this modest volume will contribute to disseminating basic information on ASEAN to the reading public, thereby, creating understanding on the organization and its significance to citizens of ASEAN. 6 | A Primer on ASEAN Q. What is ASEAN? A. The Association of Southeast Asian Nations, or ASEAN, is a regional inter-governmental organization encompassing ten Southeast Asian member-states that cooperate and coordinate on matters of security, economics, trade, and cultural exchange. Representing a vital and vibrant regional bloc, the ASEAN is considered one of the world’s most influential organizations, with a global network of allies and dialogue partners, and constantly engaging with partners in the Asia-Pacific and beyond. Currently, ASEAN comprises the following member-states: Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore Thailand, and Vietnam. Timor Leste (East Timor) is currently recognized as an Observer State. Preceded by earlier attempts to form a Southeast Asian regional bloc (the short-lived and Western-centric SEATO and the still-born MAPHILINDO), ASEAN was founded on August 8, 1967, when the foreign ministers of the five original member-states – Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines, Singapore, and Thailand, signed the ASEAN Declaration (also known as the Bangkok Declaration), which states that the aims and purposes of ASEAN, among other things, are to accelerate economic growth, social progress, and cultural development in the region; to promote regional peace, collaboration and mutual assistance on matters of common interest; to provide assistance to each other in the form of training and research facilities; and to collaborate for better utilization of Courtesy of ASEAN Secretariat agriculture and industry to raise the living standards of the people. For almost a decade following the Declaration, ASEAN remained an almost theoretical concept, with almost next to nothing concrete being accomplished among the five founding members. ASEAN’s first summit meeting, held in Bali, Indonesia in 1976, resulted in an agreement on several industrial projects and the signing of a Treaty of Amity and Cooperation, and the Bali Concord. In 1984, Brunei was welcomed as the 6th member of the ASEAN and the end of the Cold War between the West and the Soviet Union heralded the entry of Vietnam, Cambodia, Lao PDR, and Myanmar.