South China Sea, trafficking in Marcos agenda for ASEAN summits

Metro Manila, Philippines — President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. is set to attend two consecutive summits at the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) in October, where he is expected to tackle the South China Sea issue, human trafficking, and other national interests.

In a Palace briefing on Friday, Oct. 4, Foreign Affairs Assistant Secretary Daniel Espiritu said Marcos will join the 44th and 45th ASEAN and Related Summits in Vientiane, Laos on Oct. 8 to 11.

Espiritu said, in general, the Philippines will push for issues on political, security, economic, and socio-cultural cooperation, including climate action and biodiversity management.

Asked if the West Philippine Sea will be raised, Espiritu told reporters: “Of course, definitely. The president always champions that issue in all of the summits from the very start.”

No details were given but Marcos is expected to mention “recent developments” in the talks, he added.

Will ASEAN finally reach a unified statement rejecting China’s “aggression” in the disputed waters?

“I think we should not only look at ASEAN but also the external partners. It’s also a platform for the external partners to express their support to us on the issue and most of our major external partners did so I think we have to look at it at that. And it’s still a fluid situation, many things are developing in the waters not only with the Philippines but also with other claimant states, so let's see,” Espiritu said.

The DFA official also confirmed that Marcos will tackle human trafficking as it is a “common concern within ASEAN,” noting that most of the documents to be signed center on the issue.

“In fact, some of them dinadala din sa [are brought to the] Philippines, some people of other nationalities and it’s happening in mainland Southeast Asia,” Espiritu said of human trafficking.

“May counterparts ‘yong [There are counterparts of] POGO (Philippine Offshore Gaming Operator) in other ASEAN member states and so we are actually actively cooperating on that,” he said. “In fact, right now, we have an active cooperation including the rescue of the victims of these scam schemes.”

Digital economy and supporting micro, small, and medium enterprises are Manila’s other advocacies.

Other events in Marcos’ schedule are a business and investment summit, as well as meetings with the TikTok regional director of Southeast Asia, TikTok creators and sellers.

Around 80 documents will be signed including the ASEAN Leaders’ Declaration on the Development and Strategic Plans to Implement the ASEAN Community Vision 2045, the ASEAN Leaders’ Declaration on Promoting the ASEAN Outlook in the Indo-Pacific for a Future-ready ASEAN, the ASEAN Leaders’ Declaration on Strengthening Regional Biosafety and Biosecurity, and, the ASEAN Leaders’ Declaration on Enhanced Cooperation Against Illicit Drug Trafficking and Precursor Chemicals.