By Junex Doronio
MANILA — For standing firm that the Philippines adhere to international laws and not to “imagined claims,” two noted political analysts hailed the keynote speech of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. at the 21st ISS Shangri-La Dialogue in Singapore.
“Maganda ang sinabi niya,” said Prof. Renato De Castro from the Department of International Studies at De La Salle University, referring to the President, at the Saturday News Forum at Dapo Restaurant in Quezon City.
He took note of the President’s uncompromising stance in adhering to the international rules-based order in the South China Sea, which includes the West Philippine Sea.
In his address, Marcos stressed the critical importance of maintaining peace and stability in the region.
He also strongly condemned the acts of aggression in the West Philippine Sea, emphasizing that the presence of the United States is essential to ensuring regional security and enforcing international law.
De Castro said the President’s speech was bold and well-crafted.
“It’s very strong, it’s firm, it is characterized by subtlety and of course sophistication. He mentioned the elephant in the room without mentioning its name. We have to give credit for the degree of sophistication on the speech of the President,” he said.
For his part, Prof. Don McLain Gill, also from the Department of International Studies at De La Salle University, praised Marcos for taking a firm stance independent of the US and China.
“President Marcos Jr. making this particular speech is very refreshing coming from a Southeast Asian leader that is able to rally behind him several states in the Indo-Pacific. I’m sure that the region is rooted in international law,” Gill said.
He added that Marcos’ position “resonates with a lot of countries in the region”, asserting that Southeast Asian nations can “act proactively in order to contribute to the stability of the region is a compelling statement.”
(el Amigo/MNM)
