By Liezelle Soriano
MANILA — President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. has expressed his gratitude to Timor-Leste President José Ramos-Horta after the Philippines received strong backing on its position in the West Philippine Sea (WPS).
“I’m pleased to report that beyond the formalities of these exchanges, President Horta and I had a very productive and interesting discussion on the mechanisms and the modalities that we — with the experience of His Excellency in international affairs, the many suggestions and mechanisms that he brought to light that can be of use to the Philippines when it comes to the challenges that we are presently facing in the issues that are regarding the South China Sea or, as we refer to it, the West Philippine Sea,” Marcos said.
“That is why it is with gratitude that we also have received the expressions of support from the President for the Philippines in terms of the rules — our adherence to a rules-based international law, to UNCLOS,” the Chief Executive added.
Ramos-Horta arrived in Manila on Wednesday to further solidify his state visit to the Philippines.
During their bilateral meeting in Malacañang, the Philippines and Timor-Leste agreed to work together on civilian commercial aviation, social security agreements for professionals, and educational cooperation between their higher learning institutions.
(ai/mnm)
