Palace: Marcos optimistic on legally binding code of conduct in South China Sea

KUALA LUMPUR - President Ferdinand ''Bongbong'' Marcos Jr. is optimistic as regards the adoption of the Code of Conduct on the South China Sea. 

''President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. is very optimistic that there will be a final, rather conclusion, on this legally binding Code of Conduct regarding the South China Sea. He is very optimistic that's why he bring this up to the plenary just this morning,'' Palace Press Officer Undersecretary Atty. Claire Castro told the Philippine media delegation.

Still, this will depend on the talks among ASEAN member states, according to Castro.

''Depende 'yan sa bawat bansa, siyempre may mga involved na bansa tulad ng China, iba pang miyembro ng ASEAN so depende kung papaano ang takbo ng paguusap,'' she said.

(This will depend on the talks of each involved country, including China and other ASEAN member states.)

The proposed code aims to set rules to prevent the intensifying dispute in the South China Sea from spinning out of control and worsening into a major armed conflict that could involve the United States, an ally of the Philippines, and other Asian countries at odds with China.

China currently claims almost the entire South China Sea, including areas claimed by the Philippines, Vietnam, Indonesia, Malaysia, and Brunei.

In 2016, the Permanent Court of Arbitration in The Hague sided with the Philippines and stated China’s claims over the South China Sea had “no legal basis.''

However, China has not recognized the ruling and continues its aggression in the region.

During the ASEAN plenary session, Marcos emphasized the urgency to adopt the COC in order to prevent miscalculations at sea. He said this is to safeguard maritime rights, promote stability, and prevent miscalculations at sea. –NB, GMA Integrated News