Mon Nov 25 21:55:30 UTC 2024: ## Philippines Urges ASEAN Support on West Philippine Sea Sovereignty
**MAKATI CITY** – House Speaker Ferdinand Martin G. Romualdez called on ASEAN member states and the international community to back the Philippines’ stance on the West Philippine Sea (WPS) dispute. Speaking Friday before the Trilateral Commission, Romualdez reiterated the Philippines’ commitment to a peaceful resolution based on international law, specifically referencing the 2016 Permanent Court of Arbitration ruling that invalidated China’s expansive claims in the South China Sea.
Romualdez emphasized the importance of upholding the 2016 ruling, which affirmed the Philippines’ 200-mile exclusive economic zone under UNCLOS. He stressed that a rules-based order, championed by ASEAN, is crucial for regional cooperation and stability. He expressed hope for an Indo-Pacific region prioritizing cooperation over confrontation and economic progress alongside security. The Speaker’s address highlights the Philippines’ continued efforts to seek international support in its ongoing dispute with China over the WPS.
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