PRESIDENT Marcos Jr. yesterday highlighted the importance of partnership among nations in addressing geopolitical issues such as those affecting the West Philippine Sea, as he welcomed the participation of Western countries in forging unity against encroachment in contested waters.
Welcoming German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius in Malacañang, the President said the Philippines looks to its partners and allies in the international community and thanked them, especially Germany, for “continuing to support the rules-based international law that we all abide by.”
Pistorius’ meeting with Marcos followed that with Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr on Sunday, after which the two defense officials issued a joint statement saying they “strongly opposed any unilateral attempt to advance expansive claims, especially through force or coercion,” without mentioning China.
The Presidential Communications Office (PCO) said Marcos, during the meeting with Pistorius, stressed the importance of partnerships in promoting stability in the South China Sea as well as in Central and Eastern Europe.
It said the President also recognized that with the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO), the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and the Indo-Pacific region being united, “it will hold back the tide a little bit.”
Tension between the Philippines and China has been growing in the months, with Chinese vessels harassing Philippine ships in the West Philippine Sea in the South China Sea.
China is claiming almost the entire South China Sea, including areas within the Philippines’ exclusive economic zone.
Pistorius said standing together to show unity for peace is important. He also affirmed Germany’s commitment to the rule of law.
“I could not agree more to your assessment with regard to standing together, and standing together for peace and security, and for our interest, and that is the reason why we are engaging,” he said as he cited Germany’s Indo-Pacific deployment next year.
“As I always mentioned, during my trip here to the Indo-Pacific, presence matters and presence is key to show to China, or maybe others in the future, that we stand together, and it doesn’t matter whether it’s the Philippines, or Europe, or India, or whatever it is,” he added.
Pistorius also affirmed Germany’s commitment to forging a defense agreement with the Philippines by the end of the year.
He said he and Teodoro agreed to work on it and an initial has been sent to both countries.
Pistorius arrived in the Philippines on August 3 for a three-day visit, part of his trip to the Indo-Pacific region. He went to Hawaii before proceeding to South Korea and the Philippines.
