MANILA -- The Philippines continues to observe an "independent and principled" foreign policy that serves its national interest.
This was said by Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana during the televised pre-SONA (state-of-the-nation-address) presentation of the Security, Peace, Justice, Cluster, which he chaired, and aired Wednesday on PTV-4.
He added that this stance allows the country to "foster respectful friendships and facilitates beneficial and meaningful cooperation and partnership with the global community."
Lorenzana also said the bilateral and multi-lateral approach, adopted by the country, in its relations with other countries, including other claimants in the West Philippine Sea, has significantly "lowered the tension and greatly helped in managing the issues" in the region.
In line with this, he said the Philippines has been actively pushing for the effective implementation of the 2002 Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea as part of its efforts to ensure peace in the region.
"We are likewise pursuing the early conclusion of an effective and substantive Code of Conduct in the South China Sea by all the claimant states. We continue to engage them in confidence-building measures," Lorenzana said. (PNA)
