đź“· DFA
The situation in the West Philippine Sea could be one of the key topics that will be discussed during President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s attendance at the upcoming International Institute for Strategic Studies (IISS) Shangri-La Dialogue in Singapore next week, the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) said.
Foreign Affairs Assistant Secretary Aileen Mendiola-Rau said this during a pre-departure briefing in Malacañang on Friday, as Marcos will fly to Singapore on May 29 to 30 upon the invitation of former Prime Minister of Singapore Lee Hsien Loong.
“I presume for all meetings and as well as the speech of the president, his keynote address, this issue will be touched but I do not wish to preempt the statements of the president,” Mendiola-Rau said.
The West Philippine Sea, also known as the South China Sea, has been a source of tension between the Philippines and other claimants, including China. The Philippines has long opposed China’s expansive territorial claims in the region.
Mendiola-Rau also hinted that the President’s participation in the Dialogue could be an opportunity to address disinformation campaigns.
“Certainly it would be an opportunity. But I don’t want to preempt the keynote address of the President,” Mendiola-Rau said.
The Shangri-La Dialogue is an annual security forum that brings together government officials, defense experts, and academics to discuss regional security challenges.
Before joining the International Institute for Strategic Studies (IISS) Shangri-La Dialogue in Singapore, DFA said Marcos will be flying to Brunei on May 28 to 29 for a state visit upon the invitation of His Majesty Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah Mu’izzaddin Waddaulah.
Foreign Affairs Spokesperson Ma. Teresita Daza, who was in the briefing, said Marcos’ visit to Brunei aims to strengthen bilateral relations between the two nations.
“The President will meet with His Majesty, the Sultan, and engage with the Filipino community in Brunei,” said Daza.
“He will highlight the contributions of over 25,000 Filipinos residing in Brunei and participate in a business forum to promote trade and investment relations,” she added. (TCSP)
