Marcos and Rubio discuss South China Sea security in phone call

MANILA: Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and US Secretary of State Marco Rubio spoke by phone early Monday and discussed peace and security in the South China Sea, along with a wider set of bilateral economic and security issues.

According to the office of President Marcos, the conversation covered critical regional and economic priorities as well as bilateral trade matters. The US State Department said the two sides also discussed efforts to advance peace and security in the South China Sea, where the Philippines and China have repeatedly traded accusations over competing maritime claims.

The South China Sea, which is believed to be rich in mineral resources, has remained a source of tension as Manila and Beijing continue to assert overlapping claims in the disputed waters. The Philippines is one of Washington’s oldest military allies in the broader Asia-Pacific and the two countries are bound by a mutual defence agreement.

The State Department said Rubio also reaffirmed US commitment to developing the Luzon Economic Corridor and to exploring ways to address energy challenges in the region. According to details shared by the US Embassy in Manila, the Luzon Economic Corridor is a trilateral initiative involving the United States, Japan and the Philippines.

The initiative also includes engagement with partners such as Australia, Canada, Denmark, France, Italy, South Korea, Sweden and the United Kingdom to catalyse mutual economic growth, generate jobs, strengthen connectivity and improve transport and logistics, energy and digital infrastructure.

China objects to regional maritime moves

Separately on Monday, China’s Coast Guard carried out what state-run Xinhua described as a law-enforcement patrol in waters east of Taiwan. Xinhua said the move was a response to what it called the unilateral announcement by Japan and the Philippines of maritime delimitation talks in that area.

In a joint statement issued last week after talks in Tokyo between President Marcos and Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi, the Philippines and Japan said they had agreed to begin formal negotiations on delimiting the maritime boundaries of their exclusive economic zones and continental shelves.

"We urge Japan and the Philippines to immediately cease all illegal actions that undermine China's sovereignty, rights and interests," China’s Coast Guard said, criticising the step.

The developments come amid continuing friction across regional waters, with diplomatic and maritime disputes involving several Asian countries remaining closely watched.