Shangri-La Hotel, Singapore
May 31, 2024
“We find the strength to do whatever it takes to protect our sovereign home - to the last square inch, to the last square millimeter. The life-giving waters of the West Philippine Sea flow in the blood of every Filipino. We will never allow anyone to detach it from the totality of the maritime domain that renders our nation whole… I do not intend to yield. Filipinos do not yield,” President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. declared in his keynote address at the International Institute for Strategic Studies’ (IISS) Shangri-La Dialogue 2024 in Singapore on May 31, 2024.
Speaking before the international defense ministries converging for the opening of the 21st Asia Security Summit, the President asserted the Philippines’ rightful claim on its disputed territorial waters in the West Philippine Sea, underscoring the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) and the 2016 Arbitral Award.
“We must reject unjust narratives that seek to subsume distinct national interests into so-called ‘major country’ dynamics, which seek to impose hierarchy amongst nations,” he urged, reiterating the critical role of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) in maintaining regional stability. He also called for stronger support for ASEAN’s Centrality and its role as a stabilizing force in the Region.
He emphasized the importance of upholding the rule of law and multilateralism to navigate the current geopolitical rivalries in the Region.
“China’s determining influence over the security situation and the economic evolution of this region is permanent. At the same time, the stabilizing presence of America is crucial to regional peace. It is never a choice. Both countries are important. The continued stability of this region requires China and the United States to manage their rivalry in a responsible manner,” he stated, urging them for the total elimination of nuclear weapons to alleviate the risk of nuclear conflict.
On settling maritime disputes, the Philippines advocated for adherence to international law, particularly the 1982 UNCLOS and the 2016 Arbitral Award, and emphasized the importance of peaceful resolution through dialogue and diplomacy.
“Our policy in the South China Sea is built upon these two touchstones. We will continue to work with ASEAN and China towards an effective and substantive code of conduct, one that is firmly moored in UNCLOS,” he stated, emphasizing the importance of upholding the rule of law while enhancing defense capabilities to protect national interest in both maritime and global domain. Under the Philippines’ Comprehensive Archipelagic Defense Concept, the aim is to bolster the country’s ability to deploy forces to safeguard its constitutional duties and legal rights. Additionally, the President discussed the Philippines’ plans to fortify alliances with the United States and Strategic Partnerships with Australia, Japan, Vietnam and Brunei, as well as foster collaboration with friendly nations like the Republic of Korea and India.
“Geopolitics must not distract us from our fundamental duty as civil servants, as public intellectuals, as statesmen: To deliver for our peoples, and to safeguard the future for the coming generations. This is the reason why we strive for stability, for security, and for peace… It is for this most noble of causes that we must come together to win the future for our region, and to make a better world. And with your help, with our partnerships, with our alliances we have forged, we will make it happen,” President Marcos Jr. said in concluding his message.
Following his keynote address, the President answered three (3) questions from the audience. The first question came from Major General Xu Hui (President, International College of Defense Studies, National Defense University) regarding the President’s commentary on the Philippines’ role in disrupting peace in the Region. The second question was asked by Demitri Sevastopulo concerning the activation of the Philippines-United States Mutual Defense Treaty. Lastly, Justin Baquisal (National Security Analyst, FACTS-Asia) inquired about the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) Modernization Program.
Attended by over 550 international delegates from more than 40 nations, Asia’s premiere defense summit provides an opportunity for participants to engage in open and frank discussions, exchange perspectives, and explore collaboration to enhance regional security and stability.
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