DFA Affirms PH as 2026 ASEAN Chair Commits Safe, Secure SCS

Article by Monne Slyvia

Published on March 11, 2026 06:30PM

The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) on March 11, 2026 told the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs that the Philippines as 2026 ASEAN Chair is “committed to ensuring that the South China Sea remains a sea of peace, stability, and cooperation, and to working constructively with all ASEAN Member States and China to conclude an effective, substantive, and legally binding Code of Conduct (COC) of the Parties in the SCS within the year in line with the agreed guidelines.”

The DFA highlighted that the Philippines always advocated that the COC should be consistent with international law, particularly the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), not carve out a special regional regime, not diminish the rights and interests of third-party states, and effectively govern behavior at sea.

Likewise, lasting peace and stability in the SCS requires all countries, whether big or small, to meet their obligations and responsibilities under international law, particularly UNCLOS Countries have to exercise self-restraint and avoid actions that could complicate the situation or increase tensions at sea.

The March 11, 2026 statement of the DFA reflects the Philippines’ strategic positioning as chair of the ASEAN in advancing the COC. This also reinforces Manila’s effort to anchor regional maritime governance in UNCLOS, thereby preventing the emergence of a regional framework that could weaken established maritime rights in the SCS.

By highlighting that the COC should not diminish the rights of third-party states, the Philippines also seeks to preserve the presence and cooperation of external security partners such as the US and Japan which are important to its deterrence posture. The call for restraint also reflects concerns over ongoing gray-zone activities and rising tensions at sea, while also signaling Manila’s intent to shape negotiations toward a legally binding agreement that effectively governs behavior and supports long-term regional stability.