Teodoro urges ASEAN, partner countries to uphold UNCLOS, reject use of force - GMA Network

Philippine Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr. on Thursday called on ASEAN member states and partner countries to uphold the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) and reject threat or use of force.

In his opening remarks at the 13th ASEAN Defense Ministers Meeting-Plus (ADMM-Plus) in Cebu, Teodoro said functional cooperation among participating countries must be anchored on mutual respect and adherence to international law.

“First, our functional cooperation must remain rooted in mutual respect and adherence to international law, including the United Nations Charter and the 1982 Convention on the Law of the Sea,” he said.

“ASEAN member states and dialogue partners share the same principles, such as respect for sovereignty and territorial integrity, non-interference in internal affairs, the peaceful settlement of disputes, and the renunciation of the threat or use of force,” he added.

Tensions continue as Beijing claims almost all of the South China Sea, a conduit for more than $3 trillion of annual shipborne commerce, including parts claimed by the Philippines, Vietnam, Indonesia, Malaysia, and Brunei.

Parts of the South China Sea that fall within Philippine territory have been renamed by the government as West Philippine Sea to reinforce the country’s claim.

The West Philippine Sea refers to the maritime areas on the western side of the Philippine archipelago including Luzon Sea and the waters around, within and adjacent to the Kalayaan Island Group and Bajo de Masinloc.

In 2016, the Permanent Court of Arbitration in the Hague ruled in favor of the Philippines over China's claims in the South China Sea, saying that it had "no legal basis."

China has refused to recognize the decision.

In his opening remarks, Teodoro also called for sustaining progress in defense cooperation under the ADMM-Plus framework. He also promoted cooperation in protecting critical underwater infrastructure and strengthening people-to-people ties.

He encouraged the partner counties to focus on strengthening cooperation on food and energy security amid supply chain disruptions and conflicts overseas.

Teodoro also called for the protection of migrant workers and seafarers, particularly those from ASEAN member states and other countries who have been caught in conflict zones.

“The international order must have a special obligation to protect migrant workers and seafarers in recognition of their vital contributions to the global economy and the way of life of the countries wherein they serve,” he said.

The Philippines is hosting the 20th ADMM and the 13th ADMM-Plus on October 28 and 29 in Cebu.

ADMM is ASEAN's highest defense consultative and cooperative mechanism, according to the Department of National Defense (DND).

The ADMM-Plus expands defense cooperation to eight dialogue partners including Australia, China, India, Japan, New Zealand, South Korea, Russia, and the United States. —AOL, GMA News