Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, August 9) — President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. won’t attend the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) in September, Philippine Ambassador to the United States Jose Manuel “Babe” Romualdez confirmed on Wednesday.
Romualdez, however, has yet to disclose the reason.
Marcos marked his first engagement with the UN and his third official trip abroad when he attended the 77th session of UNGA in New York in September last year.
In his first UNGA speech, Marcos called on UN members to resolve disputes \”through reason and right,\” amid tensions in the West Philippine Sea. He also reiterated that the Philippines is \”a friend to all and enemy to none.\”
READ: Amid WPS rift, Marcos underscores Philippines is a ‘friend to all and enemy to none’
Last July 26, Senator Alan Peter Cayetano – a former foreign affairs secretary – stalled opposition Sen. Risa Hontiveros’ proposed resolution seeking to raise China’s actions in disputed waters before the UNGA.
READ: Hontiveros tells Marcos: Filipinos want gov’t action vs. China’s bullying
Over the weekend, a Chinese Coast Guard ship blocked and used water cannons on Philippine vessels on the way to the BRP Sierra Madre in Ayungin Shoal for a resupply mission.
