Sen. Jinggoy Ejercito Estrada, chairperson of the Senate Committee on National Defense and Security, Peace, Unification and Reconciliation, calls on delegates of the Asia-Pacific Parliamentary Forum (APPF 31) Friday, Nov. 24, 2023 to work together in promoting peace and stability in the region. (Senate PRIB Photo)

Expressing concerns over the recent developments in the West Philippine Sea, which refers to parts of the South China Sea, over which the Philippines has sovereign rights, and jurisdictions, “are not intended to assign blame or take sides.”

Senator Jinggoy Ejercito Estrada pointed this out during the plenary session on political and security matters at the 31^st Asia Pacific Parliamentary Forum (APPF) held in Pasay City on Friday, November 24.

“It is in our purview as representatives of the people to address this issue with the utmost diplomatic care and urgency. Let us be clear – the concerns we express are not intended to assign blame or take sides. Instead, they reflect our shared commitment to upholding a rules-based international order,” Estrada said in his address.

“It is through these rules that we can navigate the complexities of competing claims and interests in a manner that fosters understanding and preserves regional stability,” he further stressed.

The APPF, held at the Philippine International Convention Center (PICC) is attended by parliamentarians from 19 countries, including China, Malaysia, Japan, Australia, and Canada.

Estrada also highlighted the efforts of the Marcos administration in trying to address the issues in the WPS through diplomatic means

“The Philippine government, under the leadership of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., has been consistent in trying to address the issues surrounding the West Philippine Sea through diplomatic means, in the hope of decreasing tension in the area,” he pointed out.

“President Marcos met with Chinese President Xi Jinping at the sidelines of the recently concluded APEC Summit in San Francisco, California. They affirmed that the situation in the South China Sea does not comprise the entirety of Philippines-China relations, and that maritime issues should be managed properly,” the lawmaker recalled.

That is why, he said, interdependence among states is a fundamental aspect of international relations. And with this, he said the Philippines and Japan, both maritime nations, are currently working on a Reciprocal Access Agreement (RAA) that will enhance their defense cooperation.

“The RAA will provide a legal framework for joint military exercises and operations, which will improve the military capabilities and interoperability of both nations. Once finalized, agreement is expected to be submitted to the Philippine Senate for concurrence. The RAA implementation will strengthen the strategic partnership between the two countries, which aims to contribute to maintaining peace and stability in the region,” he stressed.

Estrada further expressed hope that through the APPF, the each delegate would heed the call to urge their respective governments to affirm multilateralism.

“The APPF has the potential to drive positive change in our region. I urge every member to answer this call to action, to approach our shared responsibilities with commitment, and to work tirelessly to promote regional peace and stability,” he said.

“Together, we can establish a legacy of cooperation, understanding, and prosperity for future generations,” the lawmaker emphasized.