President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. today addressed the 20th East Asia Summit (EAS) in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, urging all member states to prioritize constructive diplomacy, restraint, and de-escalation to safeguard regional and international peace.
Speaking before the EAS—which comprises the 11 ASEAN Member States and key partners Australia, China, India, Japan, New Zealand, Republic of Korea, Russia, and the United States—President Marcos emphasized the forum’s critical role in addressing evolving geopolitical challenges.
“The rapidly changing times remind us of how tenuous peace and stability are in our global community,” President Marcos stated. “There is the pressing need to have sincere efforts towards constructive diplomacy, coupled with restraint, de-escalation, and respect for international law.”
The President raised grave concern over the continuing incidents in the West Philippine Sea (WPS), highlighting actions that endanger Filipino lives and the safety of Philippine vessels and aircraft, and obstruct legitimate Philippine activities within its maritime zones and airspace. These rights, the President stressed, are fully guaranteed under the 1982 UN Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS).
President Marcos reiterated the Philippines’ unwavering commitment to the full implementation of the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea (DOC) and the pursuit of a Code of Conduct (COC) that is “effective, substantive, and aligns with international law, particularly UNCLOS.”
“We will continue to uphold our sovereignty, rights, and jurisdiction as we engage constructively to manage differences,” the President affirmed.
The President pointed to the successful conduct of ten Rotation and Resupply (RORE) missions to the BRP Sierra Madre in Ayungin Shoal since July of last year as concrete evidence that diplomacy works when commitments are honored.
“These missions show that diplomacy and dialogue can ease tensions, provided that commitments are honored and translated into sincere action from both sides,” he said.
In closing, the President also welcomed the recent ceasefire agreement between Hamas and Israel under the Gaza Peace Plan, brokered by the United States in coordination with regional countries, expressing hope that this will lead to long-term peace and stability in the Middle East.
