President Marcos insisted that the Philippines is not tearing apart the long-earned peace in the region by responding to issues in the West Philippine Sea and by including other parties in the discussion.
"The Philippines still remains true to the principles that were established and of on which ASEAN (Association of Southeast Asian Nations) was born," Marcos said as he respond to a question after his speech at the International Institute for Strategic Studies’ (IISS) Shangri-La Dialogue 2024 in Singapore on Friday night, May 31.
The President was asked to comment on the statement that the Philippines, with its recent behavior on the issue in the West Philippine Sea, is putting risks on the long-earned and long-lasting peace in since colonial history.
"I cannot imagine what you must be referring to—if the reference or the illusion that the Philippines somehow tearing apart what we have agreed on with in as in terms of ASEAN centrality. I think if you will examine more closely the remarks that I just made, I precisely focused on ASEAN centrality and that the principles that are laid down, that are involved in the concept of ASEAN centrality are some things that must be used to guide us," Marcos said.
"And if we have been misguided in the past years or so, then it's time for us to return and remember once again what ASEAN was created for, and that is to create an advocation of nations that have very many common interest that can be, and partnerships within that multilateral organization can help each other and help the region," he further said.
He stressed that the issue on the South China Sea is no longer just a regional issue, but a global issue. Thus, the inclusion of other parties in the discussion must also be tapped.
"When we talk about the South China Sea, we have to also remember that the South China Sea is the passage way for half of the world trade and therefore the peace and stability of the South China Sea, the freedom of navigation in the South China Sea is a world issue," the President pointed out.
Marcos emphasized that while the situation in the South China Sea is a regional issue, it is a part of global trade, which compels the participation of other states in the discussion.
"I am saying this is a, yes, it is a regional issue but we must examine and be part of the discussion. We must include all parties in this discussion because now, it is not just ASEAN member states who are stakeholders, it is quite easy to see that it is in fact the entire world that have become stakeholders in the peace and stability of our region," he said.
It can be recalled that two days ago in Brunei, Marcos said in order for China and the Philippines to resolve their differences, they must do everything knowing that they do not know what effort would actually work. But they must first begin on ending the aggression and allowing Filipino fishermen to fish in the West Philippine Sea.