President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. will underscore the country’s desire to have a peaceful, secure, and stable South China Sea when he begins his official visit to the United States next week, the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) said Friday.
Amid reports that a Chinese coast guard ship caused a near collision with a Philippine Coast Guard vessel over the weekend, DFA spokesperson Ma. Teresita
Daza said Mr. Marcos would seek a commitment from US President Joe Biden to keep the contested waters secure.
“I cannot preempt the President but I think the President will underscore [that] …we want the South China Sea and the West Philippine Sea to be a sea of peace, security, stability, and prosperity,” Daza said.
“It’s safe to assume he will also count on the US to actually support Philippine efforts in terms of enhancing maritime cooperation, upholding international law and freedom of navigation and overflight, and promoting sustainable development of marine resources,” she added.
A Chinese coast guard ship on Sunday cut off a Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) patrol vessel carrying journalists in the disputed South China Sea, causing a near-collision, sparking anger in the Philippines (see banner story — Editors).
Reports said the BRP Malapascua and BRP Malabrigo were shadowed by Chinese navy and coast guard ships and ordered to leave the waters several times.
On Friday, the PCG also reported that 100 Chinese vessels were spotted during maritime patrols in the West Philippine Sea from April 18 to 24.
The DFA would study and analyze the PCG incident report before taking appropriate diplomatic action, Daza said.
Armed Forces of the Philippines Chief of Staff Andres Centino also said on Friday that the National Task Force on the West Philippines Sea is discussing the right responses to the sighted Chinese warships.
In an ambush interview after the closing rites of this year’s Balikatan Exercises, Centino told reporters that there would be a discussion between agencies involved in the matter.
Beijing refuses to recognize the 2016 ruling of the UN Permanent Court of Arbitration in The Hague favoring the Philippines and junking China’s expansive nine-dash line claim covering the entire South China Sea.
Outside of security matters, the President will also focus on his administration’s economic agenda, including the promotion of the country as a trading partner and investment market, Daza said.
During his visit, the President will meet with Biden, then have an expanded meeting with key Cabinet officials.
The President is also expected to sit down with legislators, major US companies, and business groups.
Daza said the President will also meet with members of the Filipino community “who represent the Philippine American diaspora in the United States numbering some 4.4 million.”
While in the US capital, the President will also meet with different companies “where he will actually be able to promote the Philippines, both as a trading partner, as well as an investment market.”
“I think for this trip, there will be a heavy emphasis [on the President’s] economic agenda,” Daza said, including agriculture and food security, infrastructure development, and renewable and clean energy.
A meeting with Biden will be President Marcos’ first order of business upon his arrival in Washington next week.
Mr. Marcos will begin his return to the US with a meeting with Biden on May 1, then join an expanded meeting with key Cabinet officials.
“The visit will reaffirm the bonds of friendship that give definition and significance to the many facets of the bilateral relationship underpinned by the close affinity shared by the Filipinos and Americans alike for many years,” Daza said.
The President will stay in the US until May 4. He was in the US last year for the United Nations General Assembly.
After his US trip, he and First Lady Liza Araneta-Marcos will be in the United Kingdom to attend King Charles’ coronation.
Senate President Juan Miguel Zubiri said he was upbeat that the meeting between Marcos and Biden would boost the relationship between the two countries.
“This will strengthen ties with our number one ally and trading partner, the United States,” Zubiri said.
“We need to strengthen our economic ties with our treaty ally and ask American companies to invest in the Philippines, especially those leaving China and other countries with unstable democracies,” Zubiri said. He added that now is the time for the Philippines to shine on the international stage.
He also said that there is so much tension in the region that the nation must look toward its friends who share the values of freedom and democracy as well as respect for each and every nation’s sovereignty.