PH's Lazaro to ASEAN member-states: Remain united, uphold mutual respect

Foreign Affairs Secretary Ma. Theresa Lazaro on Tuesday called on ASEAN member states to remain united and uphold mutual respect for sovereignty as regional foreign ministers gathered in Manila amid renewed tensions in the West Philippine Sea.

Lazaro joined her fellow ministers in the traditional family photo during the opening ceremony of the 59th ASEAN Foreign Ministers’ Meeting.

She chairs the ASEAN Foreign Ministers’ Meeting under the Philippines’ 2026 ASEAN chairship,

The meeting opened a day after China Coast Guard personnel allegedly struck a Philippine Navy personnel on the head with a wooden baton and damaged a Philippine rubber boat during a confrontation near Ayungin Shoal, also known internationally as Second Thomas Shoal. China disputed the Philippine account and accused Filipino personnel of provoking the incident.

The Philippine government condemned China’s actions, while allies and partners, including the United States and Australia, expressed support for Manila.

As of the opening ceremony, however, no ASEAN member state had publicly issued a statement condemning or expressing concern over the latest incident at Ayungin Shoal.

In her opening remarks, Lazaro emphasized the importance of respecting the sovereignty of nations, refraining from interference in their internal affairs and resolving disputes through peaceful means.

“Mutual respect for sovereignty, non-interference and the peaceful settlement of disputes—these time-tested norms remain the bedrock of our regional stability, ensuring our code of conduct that stands strong against shifting global winds,” Lazaro said.

She stressed that cooperation among ASEAN members was no longer merely an option but a strategic necessity amid growing divisions and uncertainties across the world.

“We must continue this journey together, because cooperation is no longer a choice; it is a strategic necessity in the fractured global landscape. No single nation can weather this storm alone,” she said.

Lazaro said no country could confront regional and global challenges on its own, adding that ASEAN must act collectively to protect the region from external pressures and preserve peace and stability.

“Acting together, it is our shield against external pressures and our engine for regional stability; if we do not move forward as one, we risk being pulled apart,” Lazaro told the ASEAN foreign ministers.

The 59th ASEAN Foreign Ministers’ Meeting formally began following the opening ceremony, with regional security, the South China Sea dispute and other global challenges expected to be discussed. —AOL, GMA News