Marcos, Jokowi discuss reliance on ASEAN for mutual defense, cooperation

JAKARTA, Indonesia —President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. and Indonesian President Joko Widodo discussed the two countries' reliance on the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) when it comes to mutual defense and cooperation.

Press Secretary Trixie Cruz-Angeles gave the response when asked if the South China Sea issue was talked about during the meeting of the two leaders earlier.

"Just the reliance on the ASEAN. For mutual defense and cooperation," Cruz-Angeles told reporters.

Pressed if there was anything about the South China Sea, she said: "Inclusive po 'yun."

"No particular. As you know, until we set out the details of such cooperation, then we will have to say that in principle they agree on certain matters such as this," she added.

The Department of Foreign Affairs had said during Marcos' state visits, "there will be discussions on key regional discussions of mutual interests, including the West Philippine Sea or South China Sea issues, cognizant that all three countries actually have the common goal of maintaining peace and stability and preventing incidents in this particular part of the world."

The Philippines and China are locked in a territorial dispute over parts of the South China Sea, including what Manila refers to as the West Philippine Sea, which is believed to be rich in oil and other energy resources.

Beijing has not recognized the 2016 arbitral ruling upholding Manila's exclusive economic zone as it continues its activities in the resource-rich area.

Meanwhile, Marcos has said he and Jokowi also talked about the role the ASEAN should play "while we face the difficulties in this very volatile time in geopolitics not only in our region but also in the rest of the world."

They agreed that ASEAN would play as the lead agent in the "changes that we would like to see in continuing to bring peace to our countries."—LDF, GMA News