Summary
Highlights
President Marcos begins by thanking the organizers and highlighting the importance of open dialogue on strategic issues. He emphasizes the Philippines' commitment to peace, the rule of law, and sovereign equality among nations. He details how the Philippines has defined its territory and maritime zones in accordance with international treaties like the Treaty of Paris and the UNCLOS, asserting its rights based on the 2016 arbitral award regarding the West Philippine Sea.
Marcos reiterates the Philippines' dedication to regional and global peace, drawing parallels with the post-war efforts to establish a rules-based international order. He mentions the 1982 Manila Declaration on the peaceful settlement of disputes and acknowledges that these norms are currently under stress due to aggression, militarization, and emerging arms races in the Indo-Pacific.
The President outlines seven key realities shaping the Indo-Pacific: the diverse aspirations of many nations, strategic competition between China and the US, challenges to ASEAN's unity, the growing importance of bridge-builders, the crucial role of global commons, the existential threat of climate change, and the disruptive potential of advanced technologies.
Marcos calls for a reaffirmation of the principles established in San Francisco (1945), Bangkok (1967), and Manila (1982) to uphold the sovereign equality of states and ASEAN centrality. He stresses that partnerships should complement, not dilute, ASEAN's role and advocates for peaceful dispute resolution through international law, rejecting misleading narratives that discredit legal procedures.
The President discusses China's influence and the US's stabilizing presence, advocating for a responsible management of their rivalry. He emphasizes that the future of the region should be driven by all nations, not just powerful ones, and highlights the shared experiences with Pacific and South Asian states regarding climate vulnerability and economic aspirations. He also addresses the Korean Peninsula and Taiwan Strait issues, urging restraint and adherence to international law.
Despite illegal and coercive actions in the South China Sea, Marcos affirms the Philippines' commitment to peace, dialogue, and diplomacy, based on the 1982 UNCLOS and the 2016 arbitral award. He details efforts to develop comprehensive archipelagic defense capabilities and strengthen alliances with the US, Australia, Japan, Vietnam, and other ASEAN members, alongside trilateral collaborations.
Marcos underscores the importance of multilateralism for collective action against global challenges and calls on middle powers to build bridges. He highlights the Philippines' role in amplifying Indo-Pacific voices on issues like autonomous weapons, outer space, and cyberspace. He expresses the country's aspiration to achieve high-income status by 2040 and to be a force for good, championing global unity and the rules-based international order.
During the Q&A, a questioner expresses concern that some Philippine actions might undermine ASEAN's principles of non-intervention and peaceful resolution. President Marcos refutes this, asserting that his speech emphasizes ASEAN centrality and a return to its founding principles, arguing that the Philippines is upholding these tenets by seeking broader international engagement on regional issues, particularly maritime security in the South China Sea, which he deems a global concern.
Responding to a question about potential red lines for triggering the US-Philippines Mutual Defense Treaty, President Marcos states that the killing of a Filipino serviceman or civilian by a willful act would constitute an 'act of war' and a 'red line,' prompting an appropriate response from the Philippines and its treaty partners. He also discusses the ongoing Horizon 3 acquisition program to modernize the Armed Forces of the Philippines and the Coast Guard, aiming to build deterrence and protect national interests.