President Bongbong Marcos recently spoke with French President Emmanuel Macron on Wednesday to discuss a number of issues including the matters concerning the West Philippine Sea.
In a statement released by Malacanang on Thursday, Marcos said that the Philippine position remains the same and that the government will work “to maintain the peace, to maintain the stability, keep the shipping lanes open and airways open” in the contested waterways.
“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 to thank you, Mr. President, and France,” Marcos said in a statement.
The French president also shared his plans during the phone call that he will deploy a group of French ministers to the Philippines by the latter part of 2023.
