Philippines Urges Stronger ASEAN Role Amid Intensifying Great Power Rivalry

By Wan Muhammad Aslah Wan Razali 

KUALA LUMPUR, May 25 (Bernama) -- The Philippines views ASEAN as a critical platform for safeguarding regional stability and preventing Southeast Asia from being drawn into the escalating rivalry between the United States and China.

Foreign Secretary Enrique Manalo emphasised that ASEAN must uphold its centrality as a convenor and stabilising force amid rising tensions between the two powers on security and economic fronts.

“We believe, at least in the Philippines, that the countries in the region, especially the middle powers, the smaller powers, have their own agency.

“We have the responsibility to determine our own future, the future of our people, and the future of the region should not be determined by the great powers,” he said in an interview with Bernama and Reuters during the 46th ASEAN Summit.

Manalo acknowledged the complexity of the current geopolitical landscape but reiterated that ASEAN’s strength lies in its ability to foster dialogue among major powers.

He underscored ASEAN’s role as a convener and facilitator for regional powers, providing a platform for dialogue to manage tensions and promote stability.

Manado added that the adoption of the ASEAN Vision at the summit would strengthen cooperation and integration, enabling member states to shape their shared future more effectively.

On ties with the United States following President Donald Trump’s return to office, Manalo said the alliance remains strong and steady, underpinned by both security and economic cooperation.

“We’ve reaffirmed our commitment… not only through security, but especially through economic cooperation. The relationship with the US is really on a very positive trend,” he noted.

He also confirmed that the embassies in Manila and Washington are coordinating a possible meeting between President Marcos and President Trump.

On the South China Sea issue, Manalo reaffirmed Manila’s multi-pronged strategy, involving bilateral, trilateral, and regional diplomacy, while underscoring the push for a binding and substantive Code of Conduct (COC) anchored in international law.

“The Philippines is really more determined now to see how we can speed up negotiations on a code of conduct. In our view, it should be effective and substantive and based on UNCLOS,” he said.

He stressed that the COC must help manage tensions, resolve disputes, and define acceptable behaviour among claimant states, in line with the country’s commitment to peaceful dispute resolution.

Addressing questions on the Second Thomas Shoal, where Manila maintains a military outpost to assert sovereignty amid Chinese pressure, Manalo confirmed that a provisional understanding with Beijing remains intact.

He added that while Manila seeks diplomatic solutions, future arrangements in areas like Sabina Shoal and Scarborough Shoal will depend on evolving circumstances.

Manalo underscored the Philippines' diplomatic strategy, including filing formal protests and utilising ASEAN’s dialogue mechanisms to address maritime issues.

On Philippines-China communication channels, he acknowledged that while discussions have occurred, a fully operational hotline has yet to be established.

“We had a hotline on the foreign ministry level. And I think the Coast Guard is also thinking of some kind of hotline,” he said.

He noted that while helpful, a hotline alone may not resolve issues, with other channels—such as diplomatic notes, letters, and ambassadorial contacts—still in use. 

The 46th ASEAN Summit, held under Malaysia’s ASEAN 2025 Chairmanship theme “Inclusivity and Sustainability”, will convene member state leaders on May 26 and 27 to address regional challenges and enhance cooperation.

It will run concurrently with the 2nd ASEAN-Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Summit and the inaugural ASEAN-GCC-China Summit, reflecting ASEAN’s growing commitment to interregional partnerships on economic resilience, energy security, and climate change.

— BERNAMA