SECTOR: Foreign Relations
SONA YEAR: 2022
Stand firm for independent foreign policy
PROMISE STATUS - DATE: In progress as of 07/17/2023
- Under the Marcos administration, the Department of Foreign Affairs had sent 97 note verbales or diplomatic protests to China over the illegal presence of Chinese vessels in Philippine waters.
- In May, the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) and the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources installed five navigational buoys on Patag Island, Balagtas Reef, Kota Island, Panata Island, and Julian Felipe Reef. The PCG said at least 10 buoys have been installed in the West Philippine Sea as of May 15, with six more to be planted this year. National Security Adviser Eduardo Año said the navigational buoys serve as markers of the Philippines’ boundaries for its exclusive economic zone.
- Under the Philippine Development Plan 2023-2028, the Marcos administration laid down four main strategies to preserve territorial integrity and uphold sovereignty, first of which is upholding the 2016 South China Sea arbitral decision. The others include pursuing greater regional and international dialogues, developing a modern, credible and self-reliant military force, and strengthening the capacity of institutions in security assessment, operations and response to geopolitical developments.
- Aside from the United States, the Philippines has reaffirmed its defense and maritime cooperation with Japan and Australia, respectively.
In November 2022, the Philippines and South Korea agreed to elevate their bilateral relations into a strategic partnership such as maritime cooperation.