Marcos to tackle South China Sea with Australia MPs

The South China Sea issue would be among the topics tackled at the sidelines of President Ferdinand ''Bongbong'' Marcos Jr.'s Parliamentary Address in Canberra, Australia.

''We have very strong defense and security relations with Australia. They have been partners with us for a long time even before the official establishment of relations because they were with us as partners during World War II, and now the relations have actually seen an elevation from comprehensive to strategic partnership,'' said Foreign Affairs Assistant Secretary Daniel Espiritu At a Palace press briefing.

''And so in terms of defense and security, that will actually be... discussed. But also, in terms of what’s happening in the region and what is happening within our region, one issue will be South China Sea. And it’s also worth mentioning that Australia and the Philippines are maritime nations, and it cannot be denied that it will be something that will have to be raised as well,'' he added.

The President will be the first Filipino leader to address the Australian Parliament.

Marcos was expected to speak on his vision for the Strategic Partnership between the Philippines and Australia during his address before the Parliament.

The Partnership, which is an enhancement of the bilateral relations stemming from the Comprehensive Partnership in 2015, was signed in September last year during Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese's visit to the Philippines. — DVM, GMA Integrated News