Duterte reiterates PH commitment for substantive, early conclusion of effective Code of Conduct in disputed waters

November 14, 2018

President Rodrigo Duterte has reiterated the Philippines is committed to work with all concerned parties for early conclusion of an effective Code of Conduct in the South China Sea.

The Philippines is the country coordinator of ASEAN-China Dialogue Relations for three years until 2021.

"(W)e are committed to work with all concerned parties in the substantive negotiations and early conclusion of an effective Code of Conduct," Duterte said during his intervention for the 33rd ASEAN Summit Working Dinner on Tuesday in Singapore.

He also reaffirmed Manila's commitment to the full and effective implementation of the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea.

This includes the peaceful settlement of disputes, the excise of self-restraint, and the freedom of navigation and overflight in accordance with international law, especially the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, he added.

The three other ASEAN members who are claimants in the South China Sea are Brunei Darussalam, Malaysia, and Vietnam.

China, on the other hand, has been claiming almost the entire South China Sea, including those within the 200 nautical miles exclusive economic zone of other countries, like the Philippines. Despite the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the disputed waters, China has continued with its activities in the area, particularly on its three artificial islands, the latest of which was the installation of a weather system.

In the same intervention, Duterte urged the concerned parties to continue working towards the realization of lasting peace and stability in the Korea Peninsula.

He said the Philippines welcomes the positive developments in recent months in the Korean Peninsula.

He reiterated Manila's support for the "complete, verifiable, and irreversible denuclearization of the Peninsula.

"Duterte said Manila also supports ASEAN's role in providing humanitarian assistance to all affected communities in the Rakhine State in Myanmar.

"We must together address the root causes and create a conducive environment for affected communities to rebuild their lives," he said. Celerina Monte/DMS