Marcos' engagement in Singapore dialogue 'highly significant'
BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN, Brunei— President Marcos said his engagement at the International Institute for Strategic Studies (IISS) Shangri-La Dialogue 2024 in Singapore is "highly significant" as it is a recognition of the challenges the Philippines is facing, including the situation in the West Philippines Sea.

Being invited alone to speak in the event on May 31 is already highly significant itself, he said.
"I think it's highly significant. The invitation in itself is highly significant. The fact that they asked the Philippine President to come and speak on that very subject is significant in the sense that it is a recognition that there are challenges that are facing the Philippines, specifically," Marcos said in a post-Brunei visit press briefing on Wednesday, May 29.
The President further said that it is also significant to the region as he intends to explain the position of the Philippines legally, geopolitically, and diplomatically.
"And not only the Philippines, but this affects the region and it affects the world. So, what I will present in the Shangri-la forum day after tomorrow is going to essentially try to explain the position of the Philippines for both legally and geopolitically and diplomatically. And how we see the ways forward for the Philippines and for the region," Marcos said.
He also stressed the importance of discussing the matters concerning the West Philippines Sea in terms of international trade.
"It really involves the global economy already and so that is why I think the Philippines’ position is going to be important in the decision-making of many of the policymakers around the world," he said.
From Brunei, Marcos will be flying to Singapore on Wednesday afternoon to deliver his speech there.
The 21st edition of the annual Shangri-La Dialogue will be participated in by around 500 defense and military officials and experts as well as business leaders from around 40 countries to discuss critical security challenges around the globe.
According to the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA), the dialogue will provide a good platform for defense ministers, military chiefs, government officials, and security experts to discuss and address regional and global security challenges.