Phl, S. Korea to deepen maritime cooperation

2 nations elevate ties to strategic partnership

- By ALEXIS ROMERO

President Marcos and South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol yesterday vowed to enhance maritime security partnership as they stressed the need to uphold a rules-based order in the South China Sea, which is threatened by China's aggressive and hostile acts.

The two leaders witnessed the signing of a memorandum of understanding (MOU) on maritime cooperation between their coast guards - a deal that Marcos said was designed to "strengthen understanding, mutual trust and confidence" while promoting, preserving and protecting their mutual maritime interests.

"Based on the MOU on maritime cooperation signed today, our two countries will reinforce maritime security partnership in (areas such) as tackling transnational crime, information sharing and conducting search and rescue missions," Yoon said after his bilateral meeting with Marcos at Malacañang.

In his opening statement during the meeting, Marcos, who has been critical of China's actions in the South China Sea, called on Yoon to work with him in promoting a rules-based international order.

"As the geopolitical environment is only becoming more complex, we must work together to achieve prosperity for our peoples and to promote à rules-based order governed by international law, including the 1982 UNCLOS (United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea) and the binding 2016 arbitral award," the Philippine leader said.

The 2016 arbitral ruling issued by the Permanent Court of Arbitration based in The Hague voided the maritime claim of China, which covers practically the entire South China Sea. China has refused to recognize the landmark decision and has resorted to aggressive measures like using water cannons and ramming of ships to assert its invalidated claim. Several nations have assailed China's aggressiveness even in other countries' territorial waters.