I thank Minister Yasonna Laoly as well as Indonesian government and people
Jakarta (ANTARA) - Law and Human Rights Minister Yasonna Hamonangan Laoly received the Kaanib ng Bayan, or Ally of the Nation, Award from President of the Philippines Rodrigo Duterte.

"I congratulate Mr Yasonna Laoly over the award he has received," Philippines' Mindanao Development Authority Chairman, Emmanuel Piñol, noted through a written statement on Monday.

"I truly laud the support granted to the Philippine community in Indonesia," he stated.

Kaanib ng Bayan is an award conferred by the Government of the Philippines to individuals and organizations outside the country over their significant or outstanding contributions to Philippine citizens or community overseas.

"We lauded your effort as an ASEAN brother. I guarantee that, in future, we will repay your kindness like what you have done for our brothers there," he remarked.

Piñol also lauded the policy implemented by Laoly, specifically concerning immigration, believed to offer protection and help to Philippine citizens in Indonesia during the COVID-19 pandemic.

In line with that statement, Philippines' Communication Minister Martin Andanar expressed his gratitude to Laoly over his humanistic immigration policy during the COVID-19 pandemic.

"The pandemic has made it difficult for them to live. Thanks to the compassion and understanding of Minister Laoly, their period of stay was granted and extended," he remarked.

According to Andanar, the Philippines and Indonesia are truly there for one another in times of need.

"The ASEAN has given us the space to collaborate and to show our solidarity," he noted.

ASEAN member countries have a safe haven for refugees over unseen, unsuspected, and uncontrollable events, such as the COVID-19.

"I thank Minister Yasonna Laoly as well as the Indonesian government and people," Andanar remarked.

In addition to Laoly, the other recipients of the Kaanib ng Bayan Award comprise Issa Mohammad Ahmad from Jordan, Montero Medical Missions from the United States, and Philippine Bayanihan Society-Singapore and Temasek Foundation, Ltd. both from Singapore.
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Translator: M Zulfikar, Fadhli Ruhman
Editor: Suharto
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