WASHINGTON D.C., United States — President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. on Sunday (Monday Manila time) said it would be best for the Philippines to stay in the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean) to keep peace and defuse tension in the Indo-Pacific region.
“The best role that we can play when it comes to keeping peace and keeping the — lowering the tensions in our area, the Indo-Pacific, Asia-Pacific region is – for me is still ASEAN,” he told reporters aboard the plane en route to Washington.
“And I think the best move for us is to stay within ASEAN, keep ASEAN solid, strong, and united,” Marcos added.
He added that the Asean will remain strong to lead political fortunes in the region if there is a consensus and areas of agreement.
The president said the Philippines’ primary goal is to “work for peace” and it would not allow not encourage any provocative action that will involve the Philippines to be used as a “staging post for any kind of military action.”
He earlier said that he would not allow Philippine military bases to be used by the US under the Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement for any offensive action.
“We will not allow the Philippines to be used as a staging post for any kind of military action,” he said.
“All we are worried about is the peace and the safety of our people, of here and abroad. And that’s the main consideration. So in my view, that’s the role,” the president added.