TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — Philippine Foreign Affairs Secretary Enrique A. Manalo emphasized the importance of the Taiwan Strait at a foreign correspondents press conference on Friday (Aug. 16). 

The situation in the Taiwan Strait is very important to the Philippines, Manalo said, per Taiwan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA). He hoped that both sides of the strait would resolve any disputes peacefully. 

This is the second time this year that Manalo has publicly supported cross-strait peace, following his comments at the US-Philippines 2+2 joint statement in July. The ministry welcomed the secretary’s remarks, adding it is committed to deepening cooperation with the Philippines under the three pillars of comprehensive diplomacy, alliances, and economic and trade relations. It lauded the global community's efforts to maintain regional stability and uphold democracy, freedom, and the rule of law.

Philippine President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Romualdez Marcos Jr. and his New Zealand counterpart also “recognized the importance of peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait” in a joint statement issued in April. 

Marcos said the Philippines would likely be drawn into a Taiwan Strait conflict in an interview with Nikkei last February. "When we look at the situation in the area, especially the tensions in the Taiwan Strait, we can see that just by our geographical location, should there, in fact, be conflict in that area ... it's very hard to imagine a scenario where the Philippines will not somehow get involved," he said.