President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. urged members of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) to oppose the deployment of coast guard and maritime militia vessel in the West Philippine Sea, commonly known as the South China Sea.
"The Philippines fully supports adherence to international law and the rules-based order. We must oppose the dangerous use of coast guard and maritime militia vessels in the South China Sea," the President said on Thursday, September 7, during the 18th East Asia Summit in Jakarta, Indonesia.
The Chief Executive also expressed concern 'over illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing, and the militarization of reclaimed features' in the West Philippine Sea.
Marcos urged all involved parties "to exercise self-restraint and refrain from unilateral and assertive activities that would increase tensions in the region, misunderstandings, and miscalculations".
"We must not allow tensions in the South China Sea to further escalate," the President stressed.
"The Philippines remains resolute towards the peaceful resolution of disputes. We continue to support freedom of navigation and overflight, and the rules-based international order in the South China Sea," he added.
While Marcos did not single out any country in his remarks, the Philippines has filed multiple diplomatic protests against China for what the former deemed as 'dangerous' actions by Chinese vessels patrolling the West Philippine Sea.
Chinese Premier Li Qiang also attended the 18th East Asia Summit where President Marcos made the call to ASEAN member states.
