The common stance was firmed up in a bilateral meeting between Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and Singaporean President Tharman Shanmugaratnam at Malacanang Palace.
In a joint statement issued at the President’s Hall after their meeting, President Marcos said diplomacy is the way to de-escalate tensions in the SCS. “Aside from bilateral issues, we also discussed regional issues of mutual interest. As geographical neighbors in Southeast Asia, the South China Sea/West Philippine Sea holds great importance to both our countries,” Marcos said.
According to President Shanmugaratnam, Singapore will continue to stand firmly behind the rights of all states to freedom of navigation and overflight.
He also called for adherence to international law as a de-escalating mechanism for tensions in the region.
