Marcos urges GCC, ASEAN to promote peace in South China Sea, Arabian Sea

President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. urged members of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) to collaborate in promoting peace and stability both in the South China Sea and the Arabian Sea.

Marcos is in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia to participate in the 2023 ASEAN-GCC Summit. During his intervention, the President underscored the importance of cooperation between member countries of the two regional groups to ensure continued prosperity.

“As the two regional organizations located astride the major sea gates and vital corridors of the world’s commerce and communications, it is imperative that we work together to promote peace, security, and stability in both our regions, the South China Sea, and the Arabian Sea, grounded on the rules-based international order to ensure stability and prosperity of our countries and the rest of the world,” Marcos said.

“Peace and stability are indispensable to ensuring continued prosperity in our respective regions and of the world,” he added.

The six GCC member countries are Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates.

The ASEAN member countries are Brunei, Burma, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam.

Aside from promoting peace and stability in the said regions, Marcos also raised concern over the rising number of victims and the safety of everyone affected by the conflict in Israel and in Gaza.

Marcos expressed hope that “all parties will exert their utmost efforts to deescalate the situation, stop all violence and engage in dialogue and diplomacy.”

Marcos also said the Philippines was concerned over the increasing number of victims amid the conflict between Israel and Hamas as he expressed hope that the hostilities would soon end.

"The Philippines is deeply concerned about the rising number of victims and the safety of all persons, as well as the dire humanitarian consequences of the conflict in Israel and in Gaza,” Marcos said.

“We hope that all parties will exert their utmost efforts to de-escalate the situation, stop all violence, and engage in dialogue and diplomacy," he added.

Marcos said the Philippines stands with Israel following the deadly attacks by the Palestine militant group Hamas.

Marcos gave the assurance as Israeli Ambassador Ilan Fluss met him at the Malacañang Palace to discuss the latest situation in Israel.

The Presidential Communications Office said that Marcos also expressed his concern for the Filipinos who remain unaccounted for.

Four Filipinos were killed following the ongoing conflict. —NB, GMA Integrated News