President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on Sunday reaffirmed the Philippines’ steadfast commitment to peace, stability, and the rule of law in the region, emphasizing that the Philippines will remain firm, calm, and resolute in defending its sovereignty and ensuring the safety of its personnel, vessels, and aircraft in the West Philippine Sea.

During his intervention at the 28th ASEAN?Japan Summit in Kuala Lumpur, attended by newly-elected Japanese Prime Minister Takaichi Sanae, Marcos expressed deep concern over continuing incidents in the West Philippine Sea, including dangerous maneuvers and coercive actions that interfere with legitimate Philippine activities.

Marcos stressed that these actions constitute violations of international law, particularly the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS).

“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,” Marcos said.

Despite these challenges, the President reaffirmed that the Philippines remains committed to the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea (DOC) and to achieving an effective, substantive, and legally consistent Code of Conduct (COC) that upholds international law and ensures stability in the region.

“These incidents notwithstanding, 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,” the President stressed.

“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,” President Marcos added.

With regard to the situation in the Korean Peninsula, Marcos expressed serious concern over the continued ballistic missile launches conducted by the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK).

“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,” the President urged.

Meanwhile, Marcos raised with Prime Minister Takaichi the urgent need to address pressing humanitarian concerns, including the long-standing issue of abduction of Japanese citizens, and reaffirmed the Philippines’ commitment to supporting a just and lasting resolution to the matter. Presidential News Desk