Marcos leaves for ASEAN Summit in Lao PDR

President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. on Tuesday left Manila for the 44th and 45th ASEAN Summits and Related Summits, which will be held in Vientiane, Lao PDR. 

Marcos is set to tackle the recent developments in the West Philippine Sea and human trafficking issues among member states. 

According to Department of Foreign Affairs Assistant Secretary Daniel Espiritu, Marcos will have bilateral meetings with heads of various countries, such as Canada, New Zealand, Vietnam, and Japan. 

He will also have business meetings, including with officials of short-form video hosting service TikTok.  

“As we continue to grapple with sharpening regional tensions, including the recent dangerous incidents in the West Philippine Sea, I intend to champion our advocacies in promoting an open, inclusive, and rules-based international order, and for the peaceful resolution of any disputes in accordance with international law,” said Marcos in his departure statement.

He said the administration will continue to ensure constructive and deepening engagements with ASEAN, the Dialogue Partners, and stakeholders.

“And as we speak, I think of our Filipino kababayans who are affected by the increasing tensions in the Middle East,” he said, adding that the government is doing everything it can to ensure the safety of over 40,000 Filipinos in Lebanon and Israel.

Marcos said that no Filipino has been reported injured in the crisis and that the embassies have been in constant communication with the Filipino community and working on securing exit papers for the initial 1,500 applicants for repatriation and transportation for those returning.

He said that there are a total of 162 distressed OFWs expected to come home from Israel, and the DMW and OWWA will be ready to assist them.

“The Philippines urges all parties to refrain from escalating the violence and to work towards a peaceful resolution of the conflict,” the President added. 

Presidential Communications Office Acting Secretary Cesar Chavez said that Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin, Agrarian Reform Secretary Conrado Estrella III, and Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin “Boying” Remulla were assigned as caretakers while Marcos is abroad.

This is the first time that the caretaker status was not given to Vice President Sara Duterte.  

Duterte was always one of the caretakers when the President was away for state, official, and working visits to other countries. —with a report from Sherylin Untalan/KBK/VAL/VBL, GMA Integrated News