Manila, Philippines — The Philippines will continue to advocate maritime security and cooperation, push for the full and effective implementation of the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea (DOC), and propose for the early conclusion of a substantive and legally-binding Code of Conduct (COC) when President Benigno S. Aquino III joins other Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Leaders in the 22nd ASEAN Summit in Bandar Seri Begawan, Brunei on April 24 and 25.
The DOC, which was signed by China with members of ASEAN in 2002, states that relevant disputes should be solved through friendly talks and negotiations by sovereign states directly concerned.
President Aquino leaves for Brunei on April 24 and will be back in Manila on April 25. He will be joined by Secretary to the Cabinet Jose Rene Almendras, Foreign Affairs Secretary Albert del Rosario, Trade Secretary Gregory Domingo, and Communications Secretary Herminio Coloma Jr.
Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) spokesman Raul Hernandez, in a press briefing in Malacañang yesterday, said maritime security and cooperation will be one of the agendas to be pushed by the Philippines during the ASEAN Summit…
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