Metro Manila, Philippines – President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. said attempts to change territorial definitions through coercion or force are “unacceptable,” drawing parallels between security challenges confronting the Philippines and Poland amid tensions in the South China Sea and the war in Ukraine.
Marcos made the statement Tuesday, Oct. 6, during a joint press conference with Polish President Karol Nawrocki in Malacañang, when asked what the two countries could learn from each other as Europe and the Indo-Pacific face attempts to alter the status quo.
“These incursions or attempts to change territorial definitions are unacceptable in both Poland and in the Philippines,” Marcos said.
The president said Manila and Warsaw share a commitment to international law and have adopted similar approaches in responding to security challenges.
Marcos noted, however, the importance of keeping communication channels open to prevent disputes from escalating.
“The lines of communication remain open as much as possible. This is exactly the policy that the Philippines is undertaking,” he said.
Marcos said the Philippines would continue expanding partnerships with countries that share its concerns and commitment to international law.
“With the challenges, and dare I say, even threats that we face, this is an important strategy, an important policy in terms of foreign policy that we widen our engagements with different countries, especially those who share our concerns,” he said.
Nawrocki said security threats in one region could have consequences elsewhere, underscoring the need for closer cooperation between Europe and the Indo-Pacific.
“Threats to security or to values in one region do not remain without an impact on what is happening in a different place, in a different region,” Nawrocki said.
The Polish leader identified maritime security as one area where Manila and Warsaw could deepen cooperation.
Nawrocki cited Poland’s experience in the Baltic Sea and the Philippines’ maritime geography as reasons for the two countries to exchange expertise. The central European country is a member of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO), while the Philippines is a major non-NATO ally of the United States.
“Maritime security is incredibly important, and this is also an area where we should cooperate,” he said.
Nawrocki said Poland and Europe have also faced what he described as hybrid attacks from Russia involving disinformation, sabotage, and other tactics.
The two leaders earlier discussed the South China Sea, the war in Ukraine, and security developments in Europe during their bilateral meeting.
They also agreed to build on existing defense cooperation, which includes the country’s acquisition of 48 Polish-made S-70 Black Hawk helicopters and Poland’s participation as an observer in the Balikatan exercises.
