LABUAN BAJO, Indonesia —

President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. said that it is inevitable for Southeast Asian leaders to discuss the tension in Taiwan as this was an issue of grave concern in the region. *President Ferdinand ‘Bongbong’ Marcos Jr. (Argyll Geducos)*

Marcos said this ahead of the 42nd Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Summit here on May 10. In an interview with reporters here, the President said it was impossible that the issue would not be part of the discussions during the meetings. "Parang inevitable, eh. Unavoidable yung subject matter na yun (It is inevitable. That subject matter is unavoidable). It is a grave concern to all the member-states of ASEAN," he said on Tuesday evening, May 9. "We also agree on the concept of ASEAN Centrality when it comes to regional concerns, so that will be one of the most important subjects that we'll bring up," he added. Marcos explained that discussing the tension in the self-ruled island was a given since it has been a long time since ASEAN leaders talked about it. "The discussions on that, that we had goes to a year ago, in that time marami nang nagbago (a lot has changed)," he said. "Many changes occurred. That is why we have to really calibrate whatever it is that we are planning," he added. "So, yes, there's no way around it. That will inevitably be a part of the conversation that we'll be having tomorrow and the day after," he continued. President Marcos has said that the United States did not ask the Philippines to send military troops should war ensue amid the rising tensions over Taiwan. He explained that the Philippine government has made "it very clear" that the bases of American forces in the country will not be used as staging posts for any military action.