Marcos Jr. urges ASEAN to speed up South China Sea Code of Conduct

President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. urged ASEAN leaders to accelerate the adoption of a legally binding Code of Conduct in the South China Sea to safeguard maritime rights, promote stability, and prevent miscalculations at sea.

He stressed the importance of promoting stability in the region and emphasized the need for continued engagement with partners to uphold ASEAN values such as peace, inclusivity, and shared progress.

The Philippines is committed to ensuring the region remains secure, peaceful, stable, and governed by law.

Tensions escalated on May 21 when the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources vessel BRP Datu Sanday was sideswiped by a China Coast Guard ship, bow number 21559, in the West Philippine Sea, which also fired a water cannon at the Philippine ship.

The China Coast Guard vessel damaged Datu Sanday's port bow and smokestack while the research mission was collecting sand samples near Pag-asa Cay 2 or Sandy Cay in the Kalayaan Island Group.

ASEAN and China began negotiating the Code of Conduct in 2018 but have faced repeated setbacks, with the Philippines remaining optimistic that a framework will be finalized by 2026.