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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider Marcos cites urgency in ending abduction of Japanese citizens

Marcos cites urgency in ending abduction of Japanese citizens

Published Oct 27, 2025 04:45 pm
President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. and Japan Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi hold a bilateral meeting at the 47th ASEAN Summit and Related Meetings in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia on Oct. 26, 2025. (Mark Balmores)
President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. and Japan Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi hold a bilateral meeting at the 47th ASEAN Summit and Related Meetings in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia on Oct. 26, 2025. (Mark Balmores)
KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia—President Marcos has cited the urgency to put an end to pressing humanitarian concerns, including the abduction of Japanese citizens.
Marcos made the statement during his intervention at the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN)-Japan Summit on Sunday, Oct. 26, as he welcomed the newly-elected Japan Prime Minister, Takaichi Sanae to the ASEAN.
"We stress the urgency of addressing pressing humanitarian concerns, including the long-standing issue of the abduction of Japanese citizens, which the Philippines has consistently supported toward a just and lasting resolution," Marcos said.
The President brought this up along with other regional issues the Philippines is concerned about such as the continued aggression of China in the West Philippine Sea and ballistic missile launches conducted by the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK).
Marcos renewed the call to DPRK to cease such activity and abide by their international obligations.
"With regard to the situation in the Korean Peninsula, the Philippines expresses serious concern and strongly denounces the ballistic missile launches conducted by the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK)," Marcos said.
"We renew our call on the DPRK to promptly cease these activities and abide by all international obligations, including relevant United Nations Security Council Resolutions, and to commit to peaceful and constructive dialogue," Marcos added.
He further expressed dismay over the incidents in the West Philippine Sea, where Chinese vessels continue to engage in illegal and dangerous acts against Filipino vessels.
"On the South China Sea, it is regrettable that incidents continue to occur in the West Philippine Sea that have put the lives of Philippine personnel and the safety of our vessels and aircraft at risk," he said, a statement he also mentioned during his intervention at the ASEAN-US Summit.
He reiterated that "the Philippines will continue to remain firm, calm, and resolute in its commitment to the full implementation of the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea (DOC) and to achieving productive negotiations towards a Code of Conduct that is effective, substantive, and consistent with international law, particularly UNCLOS."
"This commitment is shared throughout all levels of the government, which desires to conclude an effective and substantive Code of Conduct that can effectively govern the behavior of parties at sea," Marcos said.

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