The Philippines will continue to be a responsible neighbor in the Indo-Pacific region, President Marcos said.
During the Daniel Inouye Speaker Series at the Asia-Pacific Center for Security Studies in Honolulu, Hawaii, Marcos affirmed that the Philippines will continue to ensure peace, stability, and prosperity in the Indo-Pacific Region guided by the rules-based international order.
“My message has always been firm, simple, and clear: the Philippines will continue to be an engaged and responsible neighbor — always finding ways to collaborate with the end goal of mutually beneficial outcomes, namely, peace, stability, and prosperity in the Indo-Pacific Region,” he said during the engagement held on Monday, Nov. 20 (Manila time).
“It is through working together, guided by the rules-based international order, that we can ensure an environment that will allow our countries and our peoples to prosper. That has been the raison d’être for my foreign policy of peace,” he added.
The President acknowledged many challenges on the road towards a peaceful and prosperous future, such as the nuclear arms and space race among the big powers.
Nations are also caught between the dual challenge and opportunity presented by advanced and emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence (AI), he said.
“Smaller countries like the Philippines are grappling with the need to enhance our security capabilities alongside allies and partners and amidst larger regional players,” Marcos stressed.
Marcos also disclosed that he and US Indo-Pacific Command (INDOPACOM) officials had a candid exchange on regional developments and the critical role of the Philippines-US alliance in promoting peace, safeguarding the international law-based order, and ensuring resilient, sustainable, and inclusive growth.
Honolulu hosts the headquarters of the INDOPACOM.
Hawaii is the last leg of Marcos' weeklong trip in the US.