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PBBM raises aggression in WPS before ASEAN meet with Trump

Philippine News Agency

By Joyce Ann L. Rocamora
October 27, 2025, 1:22 pm

KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia -- President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. raised concerns over China's aggressive activities in the West Philippines Sea before a summit meeting between United States President Donald Trump and leaders of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia on Sunday.

Among these actions is Beijing's unilateral plan to establish a so-called nature reserve in Bajo de Masinloc (Scarborough Shoal), a maritime feature long claimed by the Philippines.

Marcos did not directly name China but said Manila is deeply concerned over "dangerous maneuvers and coercive actions" that interfere with legitimate Philippine activities in the West Philippine Sea (WPS).

He stressed these actions violate international law, specifically the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS).

The Philippines has repeatedly protested China's harassment of Filipino vessels, including water cannon attacks by the China Coast Guard on resupply missions.

The Philippines on several occasions rebuked China over its coast guard's repeated harassment, including the water cannoning of Filipino vessels conducting legitimate operations in the WPS.

"On the South China Sea, it is regrettable that incidents continue to occur in the West Philippine Sea that have put the lives of Philippine personnel and the safety of our vessels and aircraft at risk," he said in his intervention at the 13th US-ASEAN Summit.

This was also the first time Marcos criticized China's move to establish its so-called Huangyan Island National Reserve in the Bajo de Masinloc before a multilateral fora since it was approved by China's State Council in September.

"[T]he attempt of some actors to establish the so-called 'nature reserve' status over Bajo de Masinloc or Scarborough Shoal, which is a longstanding and integral part of the Philippines over which it has sovereignty and jurisdiction, clearly violates not only Philippine sovereignty, but also the traditional fishing rights of our people," he added.

He emphasized that these rights are guaranteed by the 1982 UNCLOS, the final and binding 2016 South China Sea Arbitration Award, and the country's domestic law.

Despite the continued maritime tensions, Marcos said the Philippines remains "firm, calm, and resolute" in advocating for the full implementation of the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea.

He reaffirmed Manila's commitment to a Code of Conduct that is "effective, substantive, and consistent with international law, particularly UNCLOS."

"This commitment is shared throughout all levels of the government, which desires to conclude an effective and substantive Code of Conduct that can effectively govern the behavior of parties at sea," he said.

Emerging challenge

Beyond maritime issues, Marcos highlighted the sustained collaboration between the U.S. and ASEAN to confront emerging challenges in the region such as scam hubs, cybercrimes and other forms of transnational crime.

Marcos said the country looks forward to the Philippines' co-chairing the 22nd ASEAN Region Forum (ARF) Inter-Sessional Meeting on Counter-Terrorism and Transnational Crime.

On the economic front, Marcos stressed the value of the ASEAN-United States Trade and Investment Facilitation Arrangement in supporting trade, MSMEs (micro, small and medium enterprises), digital economy initiatives, cybersecurity, and sustainability.

"We recognize that the global economic landscape is marked by uncertainty. ASEAN values its partnership with the United States and seeks to build practical, strategic, and forward-looking collaboration that delivers concrete outcomes for our businesses and citizens alike," he said.

He also noted continued initiatives of ASEAN and the United States to promote people-to-people exchanges, including on education and youth empowerment.

"We hope that these valuable initiatives will continue to promote understanding and strengthen lasting connections among our future leaders," Marcos said.

In closing, he welcomed the adoption of the ASEAN-United States Joint Vision Statement, calling it a strategic framework that aligns with ASEAN's long-term vision and strengthens collaboration for peace, stability, and prosperity in the region.

"This important document embodies our shared aspirations and aligns closely with both the ASEAN Outlook on the Indo-Pacific and the ASEAN Community Vision 2045," he said. (PNA)