Marcos, Macron discussed WPS issues in phone conversation —Palace

President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. and French President Emmanuel Macron have discussed territorial and security issues in the West Philippine Sea in which the Philippine leader mentioned his administration’s efforts to maintain peace in the region.

According to the Presidential Communications Office, Marcos had a phone call with Macron on Wednesday.

Marcos emphasized that the Philippine government has been exerting all efforts “to maintain the peace, to maintain the stability, keep the shipping lanes open and airways open” in West Philippine Sea.

The Philippine president also thanked the French government for its support regarding the issue, including France’s move of sending patrols to the region.

“But may I thank France for all the support that you have given us in terms of our shared values, in terms of following the international law, especially UNCLOS (UN Convention on the Law of the Sea) and it has been of great help the messages of support and even when you sent French vessels to come and patrol. So I have thank you, Mr. President, and France,” Marcos told his French counterpart, as quoted by PCO.

In July, the French Embassy in Manila expressed concern over the agressions in the South China Sea as it also called for respect for international law and the resolution of disputes through a dialogue.

"We are resolutely opposed to any use of force or threat to do so. We recall, in this regard, the Arbitration award rendered under UNCLOS on the 12th of July 2016," the embassy had said.

Floating barrier

China earlier this week urged the Philippines to stop provocations in the South China Sea after the Philippine Coast Guard removed a floating barrier placed by the Chinese to prevent Filipino fishermen from entering Scarborough Shoal.

Manila had condemned the installation of the 300-meter-long barrier at the mouth of the lagoon of Scarborough Shoal, a rich fishing ground called Huangyan Island by the Chinese and Bajo de Masinloc by Filipinos.

The shoal, a U-shaped rocky outcrop teeming with marine resources was seized by China from Manila in 2012 following a two-month standoff, triggering an arbitration complaint by Manila 10 years ago.

Philippine officials had called China's installation of the barrier a violation of international law and the country's sovereignty.

At a press conference on Wednesday, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Wang Wenbin said the removal of the barrier is "nothing more than self-amusement" on the part of the Philippines.

An arbitral tribunal in The Hague, Netherlands, which invalidated China’s sweeping claims over the South China Sea, ruled that no country can claim sovereign rights over the shoal, saying it is a traditional fishing ground for Filipino, Vietnamese and Chinese fishermen.

It also ruled that Beijing violated the rights of Filipinos, who were blocked by Chinese Coast Guard from fishing in the disputed Scarborough Shoal off northwestern Philippines.

The shoal is 472 nautical miles from China’s nearest coastal province of Hainan and lies 124 nautical miles off the nearest Philippine landmass of Palawan.

Invitation to Macron

Meanwhile, during their phone conversation, Marcos invited Macron to visit the Philippines whenever he would made a state visit to Asia.

The discussion between the two leaders also included the group of French ministers who would visit the Philippines before the end of the year as part of the efforts to strengthen the ties between the two countries.

“We can work on what was just held last June, the 10th Philippine-France Joint Economic Committee Meeting. And many of the businessmen from France were able to speak to our ministers and some of the local businessmen as well,” Marcos said.

“And so if your ministers will come to visit the Philippines then that will be the next step from that beginning,” he added.

Marcos said the Philippines and France had celebrated the 75th anniversary of their diplomatic relationship. —KBK/RSJ, GMA Integrated News