Marcos Jr. pushes peace in West Philippine Sea amid tensions

TOKYO – Tensions in the South China Sea have increased in recent months, President Marcos said, as he vowed to continue striving for peace while remaining open to “new solutions” to emerging security challenges.

Marcos said efforts to resolve the maritime dispute, which he described as “the most complex geopolitical challenge that the world faces,” are still ongoing and would require the involvement of all stakeholders.

“I’m afraid we’ll have to be able to say that tensions have increased rather than
 diminished for the past months or the past years… but we continue to counsel peace and continue communication between the different countries – everyone that is involved,” the President said in an interview with Japanese broadcaster NHK on Saturday.

“I cannot say that we have found the answer yet. We are still trying to formulate that answer as we speak. And things are moving very quickly in many parts of the China Sea and so there are changes in terms of approaches, (the aggravations),” he added.

Citing the conflict between Russia and Ukraine, which he called a “tragedy,” Marcos said no country in the world wants to start a new conflict, especially in Asia.

A statement by the Presidential Communications Office (PCO) quoted Marcos as saying that “a more assertive China posed a real challenge to its neighbors in Asia” that “required new solutions.”

The President gave assurance that the Philippines is always “open to the idea of finding new solutions.”

China claims historic rights over virtually the entire South China Sea, an assertion being disputed by the Philippines, Malaysia, Vietnam, Brunei and Taiwan. An arbitral court based in The Hague invalidated China’s expansive claim in the strategic waterway and affirmed the Philippines’ sovereign rights over its exclusive economic zone (EEZ) in 2016. China refused to recognize the landmark decision, claiming it is “illegal” and a “mere piece of paper.”

Tensions between the Philippines and China have simmered due to the aggressive actions of Chinese coast guard and militia vessels in the West Philippine Sea, the latest being their attacks against Manila’s resupply mission at Ayungin Shoal last Dec. 10.

According to