Bongbong Marcos says Asia-Pacific nations must be ones to decide on region’s future

FILE PHOTO: President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. PHOTO FROM PALACE

BANGKOK, Thailand — Countries in the Asia-Pacific region must be the ones to decide on the future of the region, President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. said Saturday.

The President, in an interview with reporters, was asked on possible measures that could be implemented to deter “bullying” in the Asia-Pacific region.

“Well, I suppose maybe the term bullying is not exactly accurate but I would characterize it as something different. I would say that as part of our foreign policy and this is something again that I spoke to our other partners with what we really should pursue is that we should make sure that we in the region are the ones who will decide the future of the region,” he told reporters on the sidelines of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation  (Apec) Summit here.

“Huwag nating pabayaan na dinidiktahan tayo ng kahit sino… That has always been my formulation. That’s why it begins with being able to engage with everyone, from other side of any conflict, still being able to engage on both sides,” the President added.

(Let us not allow to be dictated by anyone.)

The Chinese Embassy in Manila earlier shared that Marcos and Chinese President Xi Jinping have agreed to have a “friendly” consultation on the South China Sea dispute.

The embassy added that China and the Philippines should partner up “to reject unilateralism and acts of bullying.”

The embassy’s statement came after Marcos met with Xi on Apec’s sidelines.

Apart from the maritime dispute, the two leaders discussed regional issues, state visit plans, and bolstering bilateral relationships.

/MUF