President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. has expressed his appreciation over the support from Timor-Leste President Jose Ramos-Horta on the territorial dispute on the West Philippine Sea (WPS).
“I’m very happy to report that beyond the formalities of these exchanges, President Horta and I had a very productive and interesting discussion on the mechanisms and the modalities that we — with the experience of His Excellency in international affairs, the many suggestions and mechanisms that he brought to light that can be of use to the Philippines when it comes to the challenges that we are presently facing in the issues that are regarding the South China Sea or, as we refer to it, the West Philippine Sea,” Marcos said.
“That is why it is with gratitude that we also have received the expressions of support from the President for the Philippines in terms of the rules — our adherence to a rules-based international law, to UNCLOS,” the Philippine leader said.
The support of Ramos-Horta came in the wake of another bullying incident allegedly perpetrated by the China Coast Guard (CCG) against the resupply boats escorted by the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) which were sprayed by water cannon and attempts to block them in Ayungin Shoal this morning.
President Ramos-Horta arrived in Manila on Wednesday for his state visit aimed at further strengthening the bilateral relations with the Philippines.
During their bilateral meeting in Malacañang, the Philippines and Timor-Leste agreed to work together on civilian commercial aviation, social security agreement for professionals, and educational cooperation between their higher learning institutions.
The Philippines and Timor-Leste established their formal diplomatic relations on May 20, 2002, with their relations spanning 21 years.