Foreign Affairs Secretary Enrique Manalo urged Asia Pacific nations to strengthen maritime cooperation and develop confidence-building measures amid South China Sea tensions.
Speaking at a forum in Singapore, he emphasized the importance of maritime domain awareness, marine environment protection, and safety of navigation as pillars of cooperation anchored in international law.
Manalo also called for progress on the ASEAN-China Code of Conduct (COC) to manage disputes in the South China Sea, citing its significance for global trade and regional stability.
He highlighted the urgency of these efforts due to continued actions against lawful activities in the Philippine exclusive economic zone.
Manalo concluded by advocating for regional unity to ensure peace and sustained economic growth amid global unrest.
Source: PhilNews24 | January 10, 2025
