MANILA, Philippines – SINABI ni Pangulong Ferdinand Marcos Jr. na mariing kinondena ng Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean) ang umiigting na tensyon sa Gitnang Silangan at nanawagan para sa higit na pagkakaisa at praktikal na pagtutulungan sa hanay ng mga member states.
Sa kanyang opening statement sa 48th Asean Summit plenary, binigyang diin ni Pangulong Marcos ang kahalagahan ng pagtitipon habang nagpapatuloy ang geopolitical tensions na nagpa-trigger sa global economic shocks.
“Asean has expressed serious concern over the escalation of conflict due to the preemptive attacks initiated by Israel and the United States against the Islamic Republic of Iran on February 28, 2026, and the subsequent retaliatory attacks by Iran against several countries in the region,” ang sinabi ni Pangulong Marcos sa Mactan Expo sa Lapu-Lapu City.
“These developments have disrupted maritime and air transport routes, heightened risks to merchant and noncombatant vessels and aircraft, and affected the flow of energy and essential goods,” aniya pa rin.
Inilarawan bilang paalala sa tumataas na uncertain world, sinabi ni Pangulong Marcos na ang tensyon sa Gitnang Silangan ay panawagan para sa mas matibay na pagkakaisa at kooperasyon para sa Asean.
“So, we must continue to uphold the principles of Asean centrality and solidarity and pursue practical cooperation. For this, I thank you for answering the call underscoring the importance and urgency of convening at this time,” aniya pa rin.
Kabilang sa mga mahahalagang paksa sa dayalogo ng regional bloc ay ang ‘energy security and resilience’ kung saan sinabi ni Pangulong Marcos ay nangangailangan ng pagbabago kabilang na ang ‘inclusive at responsible applications’ ng artificial intelligence.
“This move would improve energy forecasting, strengthen grid management and system flexibility, and support the clean energy transition,” anito.
“Second, we must work together to stabilize food security. Disruptions in trade and transport stemming from the closure of the Strait of Hormuz quickly affected food prices and supply, especially fertilizers, and subsequently the welfare of our peoples,” aniya pa rin.
Tinuran pa ng Pangulo na maaari ring makatulong ang digital innovation upang mapagaan ang epekto ng inaasahang kakapusan at paghusayin ang agricultural productivity.
Idagdag pa rito, hinikayat naman ni Pangulong Marcos ang mga kapwa lider na pagtibayin ang kaligtasan ng mga Asean nationals sa pamamagitan ng pagpapalakas sa naunang warning systems, paghusayin ang consular coordination, at tiyakin ang napapanahong paghahatid ng tulong.
Sa kabilang dako, ang chairship ng Pilipinas sa Asean 2026 ay nataon sa unang taon ng implementasyon ng Asean Community Vision 2045, o 20-year strategic roadmap tungo upang maging “Resilient, Innovative, Dynamic, and People-Centered” community sa 2045.
“We are reminded that our region is strongest when we turn shared challenges, however daunting they may be, and into shared purpose,” aniya pa rin.
“And to this end, we recognize the importance of maritime cooperation and look forward to the adoption of the Asean Leaders’ Declaration on Maritime Cooperation, which includes the Philippines’ proposal to establish an Asean Maritime Center, which will serve as an important platform for maritime cooperation in coordination with relevant Asean and Asean-led mechanisms,” dagdag na wika ng Pangulo. KRIS JOSE
