Philippines seeks ASEAN support on maritime security
The Philippines is hosting a three-day dialogue to seek cooperation from ASEAN member countries on maritime security amid the ongoing tensions in the South China Sea.
About 100 Southeast Asian foreign policy experts, government officials, and next generation leaders gathered for an opening event on Wednesday.
The lead organizer is a Philippine-based research group. Government partners include the Philippine Coast Guard.
Coast Guard chief Ronnie Gil Gavan said the event is dedicated to exploring "pressing issues that transcend our borders, among them, cooperation on maritime security, conflict prevention, sustainable governance, and the collective pursuit of lasting peace and stability across the Southeast Asian waters."
The dialogue comes days before ASEAN leaders hold a summit in Malaysia early next week. The 10 member nations have differing opinions on resolving the territorial disputes in the South China Sea.
In the summit last year in Laos, Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. called on his counterparts "not to turn a blind eye to the aggressive, coercive, and illegal actions" of China in the disputed waters.
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