Marcos calls for 'maximum restraint' over Taiwan tensions

Amid the rising tensions across the Taiwan Strait, President Bongbong Marcos has called on involved parties to continue dialogue and adhere to peaceful resolution of conflict.

In his speech during a meeting with members of the Asia Society forum in New York on Saturday morning (Philippine time), Marcos underscored the importance of maintaining channels of communication in order to come up with a peaceful resolution of issues.

"We urge all parties involved to exercise maximum restraint. Dialogue and diplomacy must prevail," the President said.

"We adhere to the One China Policy and have consistently called for the peaceful resolution of the issues involving Taiwan," he said.

US House Speaker Nancy Pelosi’s visit in Taiwan last August angered China, which has been claiming Taiwan as a breakaway province.

Beijing has vowed to seize the island-nation one day, by force if necessary.

Pelosi, the highest elected US official to visit Taiwan in 25 years, pledged solidarity and hailed the self-ruled island's democracy.  

Amid the geopolitical tensions, Marcos committed to upholding peace and pushing for partnerships with its neighbors.

"We will continue to work toward strengthening the ASEAN, particularly its dialogue partnerships with neighbors that uphold regional peace and security," the President said.

Peace and security took center stage in Marcos' historic speech at the United Nations General Assembly on Tuesday, where he reaffirmed Philippine commitment to the fundamental principles of the United Nations of preserving peace, security, and stability among nations, according to a news release from the Office of the Press Secretary. —LBG, GMA News