The Philippines condemned “irresponsible and dangerous actions” against its legitimate activities in the South China Sea during Foreign Affairs Secretary Enrique Manalo’s address to the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA).
He asserted that all states in the region have the right to determine their own futures, rejecting narratives that frame the South China Sea as a site of major power rivalry.
Manalo emphasized the importance of a rules-based order governed by international law, particularly the 1982 UN Convention on the Law of the Sea and the 2016 arbitral award that underpins Philippine policy.
He stated that using force has no place in resolving disputes and called for adherence to the rule of law for multilateralism to thrive.
Manalo’s address capped off a week of activities, including participation in the Summit of the Future, where member states adopted the Pact for the Future.
Source: PhilNews24 | September 30, 2024
