MANILA – President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. underscored the imperative of unity among member countries of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) in response to persistent violations of international laws.

Speaking at the 50th ASEAN-Japan Commemorative Summit in Tokyo on Sunday, Marcos called for collective action amid escalating intercontinental ballistic missile tests by the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (North), unilateral actions in the East and South China Seas, and the escalating violence in Myanmar.

Marcos emphasized that these actions pose a continued threat to peace and stability in the ASEAN region.

“Trust is the foundation of peace, based on deeds and not just words, particularly in a geopolitical environment marked by disruptions and violations of international law. As we confront common yet intricate challenges, our unity becomes paramount,” he stated.

The President highlighted the necessity of addressing the worsening situation in Myanmar, emphasizing proactive engagement through the Five Point Consensus, the United Nations Mechanism, and the AHA Center (ASEAN Coordinating Centre for Humanitarian Assistance on Disaster Management). Acknowledging Japan’s role as a reliable partner, especially in maritime security and cooperation, Marcos expressed anticipation for co-chairing the ADMM Plus Experts’ Working Group on Maritime Security from 2024 to 2027.

In addition to maritime security, Marcos urged continued partnership among ASEAN member countries to address environmental challenges and promote climate action. He sought Japan’s support in achieving carbon neutrality, emphasizing its positive impact on disaster-prone communities. Marcos welcomed Japan’s initiative to host the Asia Zero Emission Community Summit and pledged the Philippines’ support for the outcomes of the recent COP28 conference in Dubai, including the creation of a Loss and Damage Fund.

Moreover, Marcos expressed gratitude for Japan’s support through initiatives like the ASEAN Plus Three Emergency Rice Reserve and projects promoting sustainable agriculture. He looks forward to future cooperation in enhancing resilient and sustainable agriculture and food systems through innovation and new technologies, in line with the ASEAN Regional Guidelines for Sustainable Agriculture.

Meanwhile, House Speaker Ferdinand Martin Romualdez praised the President’s emphasis on resilience and sustainable agriculture during the summit’s first session. Recognizing Japan’s ongoing support, Romualdez highlighted the benefits to Filipinos, including safeguards against food shortages and price fluctuations, and stressed that investing in sustainable agricultural practices contributes to job creation and economic growth in rural communities.

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By Liezelle Soriano

The President of Timor-Leste José Ramos-Horta will be visiting the Philippines on November 10 to strengthen the bilateral relations between the two countries a ranking official said Sunday.

“The state visit of President Jose Ramos Horta involves discussions with President Bong bong Marcos on various areas of cooperation between the Philippines and Timor-Leste in terms of technical, political, educational and economic partnerships,” Press Secretary Cheloy Garafil said.

Sec. Garafil added that department secretaries of the following agencies will be present during the meeting: Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA), Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), Department of Justice (DOJ), Department of Science and Technology (DOST), and the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD).

In May, President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. gave Timor-Leste assurances about the Philippines’ unwavering support for its transition into a full member of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) during a bilateral meeting held on the fringes of the 42nd ASEAN Summit in Indonesia.

“In the Philippines, you have a partner. We have always been supportive,” President Marcos told Timor-Leste Prime Minister Taur Matan Ruak in the said bilateral meeting at the sidelines of the 42nd ASEAN Summit.

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ASEAN has called for an immediate cessation of violence in the Israel-Hamas crisis.

In a joint statement issued by the foreign ministers of its 10 member countries, ASEAN strongly condemned the acts of violence in the region, which have resulted in the loss of life and injuries to civilians, including Filipino and Thai nationals.

The organization urged an immediate end to violence to prevent further human casualties and emphasized the importance of respecting International Humanitarian Law. They also called on all parties to facilitate safe, rapid, and unimpeded humanitarian corridors.

Furthermore, ASEAN reaffirmed its support for a negotiated two-state solution, allowing Israelis and Palestinians to coexist in peace and security in line with relevant United Nations Security Council resolutions.

They stressed that this remains the most viable path to address the root causes of the conflict.

The organization also called on the international community to support the peace process to ensure long-lasting peace and stability in the region.

This statement comes amid a two-week-long escalation of the Israel-Hamas conflict, resulting in the loss of thousands of civilian lives, including children, medical personnel, and journalists. (ai/mnm)

RIYADH TRIP. President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. delivers his departure speech at the Villamor Air Base in Pasay City on Thursday (Oct. 19, 2023) as he embarks on a trip to Riyadh, Saudi Arabia to participate in the inaugural Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN)-Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Summit on Oct. 19-21, 2023. Communications Secretary Cheloy Garafil said the President and his delegation, on board a chartered flight, arrived at the King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh at around 12:56 p.m. (PNA photo by Rolando Mailo)

Ferdinand Marcos Jr. arrived in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia on Thursday to participate in the 1st Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN)-Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Summit, according to an announcement from Malacañang.

Marcos and the official Philippine delegation, aboard PR001, touched down at Riyadh’s King Khalid International Airport around 12:56 p.m., as confirmed by Communications Secretary Cheloy Garafil.

Upon arrival, the President’s agenda included a roundtable meeting with prominent Saudi business leaders, as noted by Garafil.

Marcos is slated to partake in the inaugural ASEAN-GCC Summit on Friday, during which he will engage in discussions regarding the imperative to address significant geopolitical developments. He will underscore the significance of bolstering security, economic advancement, and socio-cultural cooperation between ASEAN and the GCC.

In a pre-departure statement given at Villamor Air Base in Pasay City on the same day, Marcos underscored the significance of the ASEAN-GCC Summit as a pivotal platform for the Philippines to advocate for collaboration in the domains of energy, food security, and trade. Additionally, he expressed his commitment to safeguarding the rights of overseas Filipino workers (OFWs).

GCC countries, including Saudi Arabia, Oman, Qatar, Bahrain, Kuwait, and the United Arab Emirates, are home to approximately 2.2 million Filipinos employed in critical sectors.

Marcos also pledged to support a rules-based international order aimed at preserving peace, security, and stability in both regions. His itinerary also includes meetings with the Filipino community in Riyadh and bilateral discussions with Saudi Arabia and Bahrain.

Diplomatic relations between Saudi Arabia and the Philippines were established on October 24, 1969. The Philippines established a mission in Jeddah in December 1973, while the Saudi government opened an embassy in Manila a year later.

Despite a declining trend since 2016, the kingdom remains the third-largest source of remittances from OFWs. In 2020, remittances totaled approximately USD 1.8 billion, representing a 14 percent decrease compared to the USD 2.1 billion received in 2019. A majority of these remittances came from land-based OFWs.

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