ASEAN to play larger role in SCS, Myanmar issues under PH chairmanship

By Joyce Ann L. Rocamora, Philippine News Agency

ASEAN LEADERS. President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. (left) joins fellow leaders of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations for a traditional photo opportunity during the 43rd ASEAN Summit and Related Summits in Jakarta Indonesia in September 2023. (PCO Photo)

MANILA – The Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) under the Philippine chairmanship in 2026 will try to play a larger role on issues besetting the region, including on the Myanmar crisis and the South China Sea, Foreign Affairs Secretary Enrique Manalo said Friday.

At the Bagong Pilipinas Ngayon briefing, Manalo said the country will seek to enhance the bloc’s influence on both global and regional issues while pushing for economic integration.

“So, we will focus on the economic integration. And then, lalakasan din iyong influence ng ASEAN sa mga ibang issues, mga global issues, especially iyong tinatawag namin na (And then we will strengthen ASEAN’s influence on other issues, global issues, especially through what we call the) ASEAN centrality,” he said.

“ASEAN should play a larger role… will try to play a larger role sa mga issues sa region natin (in the issues in our region), including issues like Myanmar, perhaps South China Sea, and other issues,” Manalo added.

The country’s top envoy said the bloc will likely focus on discussions on the ongoing Myanmar crisis, progress on the Code of Conduct in the South China Sea, and Timor-Leste’s ASEAN membership, among other issues, during the meetings next year.

At a retreat in Malaysia mid-January, the ASEAN foreign ministers conveyed “deep concern over the escalation of conflicts and humanitarian situation” and the “minimal progress” on the implementation of the ASEAN-formulated Five-Point Consensus in Myanmar.

On the South China Sea, the top diplomats called on parties to “exercise self-restraint” and “avoid actions that may further complicate the situation.

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Manalo said the current situation in the West Philippine Sea, where Chinese ships have been harassing Filipino vessels almost on a weekly basis, remains as the “primary security challenge” of the Philippines.

He noted that the DFA has been handling the issue in a peaceful manner and through diplomacy.

“The DFA’s approach is based on the directive of President (Ferdinand R.) Marcos Jr., which is to try and resolve the issues peacefully and through diplomatic means and in accordance with international law. That is what we are doing,” he said.

“While we are doing that, our position remains the same, that is we are also promoting Philippine sovereignty, sovereign rights and jurisdiction, in the West Philippine Sea in accordance with the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea,” Manalo added.

In preparation for the ASEAN meetings, Manalo said they are coordinating closely with current ASEAN chair Malaysia.

President Marcos accepted the ASEAN’s request to be the chair in 2026, or a year earlier than scheduled, after Myanmar withdrew its chairmanship.

The Philippines last hosted the bloc’s meetings in 2017.