PBBM to press for SCS rules

Says Code of Conduct only way to calm down disputed waters

By Vince Lopez

LABUAN BAJO, Indonesia—

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. will make another push for the early conclusion of the Code of Conduct with China in the South China Sea as he participates in the 42nd Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Summit here over the next three days.

“You cannot stop trying, so yes I will bring that up again. Because when we talk about the issues in the West Philippine Sea, in the South China Sea, hindi magkakalma iyan hanggang wala tayong (it will not calm down until we have the) Code of Conduct,” Mr. Marcos told reporters.

“So yes, that has always, for me, been the key element in the ASEAN centrality solution to this problem, is really the new code of conduct. Paulit ko ulit ko sinasabi (I say repeatedly), in every forum I can find, I say that we need to finish the Code of Conduct,” he added.

REGIONAL DIPLOMACY. President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and First Lady Liza Araneta-Marcos arrives in Indonesia on Tuesday for the 42nd ASEAN Summit and Related Summits. Inset photo shows ASEAN Foreign ministers, namely (from left) Malaysia’s Foreign Minister Zambry Abd Kadir, Philippines’ Foreign Secretary Enrique Manalo, Singapore’s Senoir Officer Leader Albert Chua, Thailand’s Foreign Minister Don Pramudwinai, Vietnam’s Foreign Minister Bui Thanh Son, Indonesia’s Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi, Laos’ Foreign Minister Saleumxay Kommasith, Brunei’s Senior Officer Leader Johariah Wahab, Cambodia’s Foreign Minister Prak Sokhonn, East Timor’s Foreign Minister Adaljiza Xavier Magno and the ASEAN Secretary General Kao Kim Hourn as they pose for a family photo during the ASEAN Foreign Ministers’ Meeting on May 9, 2023. AFP