President Marcos pledged to assert the Philippines’ legal and geopolitical stance on the West Philippine Sea (WPS) at the upcoming International Institute for Strategic Studies (IISS) Shangri-La Dialogue in Singapore.
Mr. Marcos is set to deliver a highly anticipated keynote address on Friday evening, where he will address the rising tensions between the Philippines and China over the disputed waters of the WPS.
In a recent media interview, President Marcos emphasized the global significance of the WPS to trade and economic stability. He noted that his address at the 21st edition of the dialogue aims to spotlight these critical issues.
“The fact that they asked the Philippine President to come and speak on that very subject is significant in the sense that it is a recognition that there are challenges that are facing the Philippines, specifically,” he said.
Mr. Marcos believes this is not just a Philippine issue because it impacts the entire region and the world. His presentation at the Shangri-La Dialogue will outline the Philippines’ position from legal, geopolitical, and diplomatic perspectives, and propose pathways forward for all stakeholders.
The Shangri-La Dialogue, organized by IISS since 2002, gathers defense ministers, military chiefs, and security experts to discuss worldwide security challenges.
This year, over 550 delegates from more than 40 countries are expected to convene at the Shangri-La Hotel in Singapore.
In addition to his keynote address, President Marcos will engage in bilateral talks with Singapore’s President Tharman Shanmugaratnam and Prime Minister Lawrence Wong to reinforce diplomatic relations. He will also meet briefly with former Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong.
