Philippines seeks ASEAN food security, medicines and peace in disputed South China Sea amid COVID crisis

The Philippines has called on Southeast Asian nations to work together to ensure stable supply of food, medicines, hospital equipment and peace and security in the disputed South China Sea as the region grapples with the coronavirus emergency.

Foreign Affairs Secretary Teodoro Locsin Jr. made the call during an Association of Southeast Asian Nations ministerial meeting via teleconference on April 9 where they discussed the region’s collective response to COVID-19, which was first detected in the Chinese city of Wuhan in late December.

In his intervention, Locsin emphasized the need for continued cooperation among ASEAN states in ensuring food security, particularly a stable rice supply, as well as access to medicines, personal protective equipment, and other essential medical supplies.

He also highlighted the importance of "maintaining peace and stability in the region during this crucial time, particularly in the South China Sea" after a Vietnamese fishing vessel, with eight fishermen onboard, was rammed and sunk by a Chinese coast guard ship on April 2.

China's latest action complicates the already tense situation in the resource-rich South China Sea, where six Asian governments - the Philippines, China, Malaysia, Vietnam, Brunei and Taiwan - have overlapping claims.

Vietnam protested the incident while the Philippines expressed solidarity with Hanoi, calling China's action "provocative." The United States also condemned China's action.

At the ASEAN meeting, the foreign ministers have agreed to intensify the sharing of information and best practices, measures to mitigate the negative socio-economic impact of the pandemic, and the establishment of a COVID-19 ASEAN Response Fund. — RSJ, GMA News