President Ferdinand Marcos Jr urges all parties to refrain from escalating the violence and to work towards a peaceful resolution of the conflict in the Middle East. Pia Gutierrez, ABS-CBN NewsMANILA — President Ferdinand Marcos Jr departed for Vientiane, Lao PDR on Tuesday afternoon to attend the 44th and 45th ASEAN Summits and Related Summits.

In his departure speech at the Villamor Airbase in Pasay City, Marcos Jr said that the annual meeting of the regional bloc “are essential for the Philippines to discuss the issues confronting ASEAN countries on geopolitical matters and also on functional cooperation.”

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The Philippine leader vowed to champion the Philippines’ advocacies “in promoting an open, inclusive, and rules-based international order, and for the peaceful resolution of any disputes in accordance with international law” during the Summits. This, amid “sharpening regional tensions, including the recent dangerous incidents in the West Philippine Sea.”

“This administration will continue to ensure that our constructive and deepening engagements with ASEAN, our Dialogue Partners, and stakeholders serve our national interest and the well-being of the Filipino people,” he said.

ASEAN leaders and their external partners are also expected to discuss the West Philippine Sea issue during the summit, as well as other important regional and international issues that impact beyond the region, including the situation in Myanmar, conflict in Ukraine, and in the Middle East.

Leaders are also expected to “explore ways to promote regional connectivity amongst ASEAN Member States,” as well as ways to “strengthen resilience to promote sustainable development and inclusive growth,” Marcos Jr said.

“I will also be participating in meetings with ASEAN’s external partners. These engagements pave the way to advance cooperation in areas such as food and energy security, trade and investment, supply chain resilience, MSMEs, and addressing the impacts of climate change, and more,” he said.

Hoping for peaceful resolution

In the same speech, Marcos Jr. called on "all parties to refrain from escalating the violence and to work towards a peaceful resolution of the conflict" in the Middle East. 

"We emphasize the need to adhere to international humanitarian law, especially the principles of proportionality and distinction in response to security threats, and to ensure the protection of civilians at all times," the President said.

"The Philippines will always stand for the principles of international law and the safety of Filipinos in the Philippines and overseas."

The President assured that the Philippine government is "doing everything it can" to ensure the safety of over 40,000 Filipino nationals in Lebanon and Israel.

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"I am glad to report that no Filipino has been reported injured in the crisis that we hear about in the news and --- to the wave of attacks against Hezbollah targets in the past few days, and the consequent Iranian reprisal against Israel," he said.

Marcos Jr. also said thatPhilippine embassies "have been coordinating with the Filipino community on this matter and working on securing exit papers and transportation for those returning."

"Sa ating mga kababayan sa Lebanon at Israel, ang ating pamahalaan ay nakahanda sa pagtugon ng inyong pangangailangan. We hope that you will avail yourselves of our repatriation program while flights are available. In the meantime, heed the Advisories of the Philippine Embassy and the Lebanese and Israeli governments," he said.

"I expect the Secretaries of the DFA and the DMW and the Administrator of OWWA to report to me with updates daily."