By Adrian H. Halili, Reporter

FOREIGN MINISTERS of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) member states called for the immediate cessation of hostilities in the Middle East, describing it as a “regrettable” escalation of conflict.

“This escalation is particularly regrettable as it occurred amid ongoing diplomatic efforts, including mediation initiatives led by the Sultanate of Oman aimed at advancing a negotiated solution,” the ministers said in a statement on Wednesday.

Over the weekend, the Unites States and Israel conducted a coordinated military attack on Iran resulting in the destruction of Tehran’s assets and the death of its Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.

In retaliation, Iran had launched several counter attacks against Israel and US bases located in Gulf states, these include Iraq, the United Arab Emirates (UAE), Kuwait, Bahrain, Qatar, and Saudi Arabia.

The foreign ministers called on the parties to respect international law, noting that the escalating conflict continues to pose a grave threat to the lives and safety of civilians, as well as to regional and global peace and stability.

“We emphasize the importance of an immediate cessation of hostilities and call on all parties concerned to exercise utmost self-restraint, avoid any acts that may further aggravate the situation, and resolve differences through diplomacy and dialogue in the interest of maintaining peace and stability in the region,” the ministers added.

The ASEAN heads also said that they will provide emergency assistance to ASEAN nationals affected by the ongoing conflict.

PHL RESPONSE
The widening conflict in the Middle East also prompted the Philippine Senate to adopt a resolution calling on the government to hasten the deployment of measures to shield the Philippine economy and to protect and repatriate overseas Filipino workers (OFWs).

In a plenary session late on Tuesday, the chamber adopted Senate Resolution No. 41, sponsored by Senator Francis N. Pangilinan, urging the Philippine government to adopt interventions to mitigate the impact of the war and protect OFWs in the region.

The resolution calls on the Philippine government to activate targeted fuel assistance programs for the vulnerable sector, including public transportation drivers, agriculture and fisheries beneficiaries.

“We have fuel subsidy programs in the transport sector, for farmers, for fishermen because when the price of oil increases, the experience of our small workers, farmers, and fishermen will be difficult,” Mr. Pangilinan said in Filipino in a statement, late on Tuesday.

President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr. earlier called on Congress to grant him special powers to lower the excise tax on petroleum products, amid potential shocks in oil prices due to the ongoing conflict.

Separately, Senator Ma. Imelda Josefa Remedios “Imee” R. Marcos filed a resolution urging the Senate to conduct an inquiry into the country’s energy reserves.

“It is imperative for the Senate to assess the adequacy of the country’s energy reserves and evaluate the preparedness and responsiveness of relevant government agencies to mitigate potential ‘energy shock,’” she said in Senate Resolution No. 333.

Ms. Marcos added that the government must “exert all efforts” to secure long-term contracts that establish fixed prices to ease and buffer against sudden market spikes, as well as to access alternate markets to diversify and safeguard energy supply.

“If we have fixed-price contracts, we won’t be hit by sudden increases. The people are protected,” she said.

The Philippines imports the majority of its petroleum requirement from Middle Eastern states, any disruptions may warrant a potential surge in oil prices.

OFW WELFARE
The Senate, under Senate Resolution No. 41, also called on the government to intensify travel advisories and crisis communications for OFWs, and ensure clear guidance on registration, hotlines, and safe movement amid the ongoing conflict.

“We also want to know the immediate actions government agencies will take directly related to its impact to our economy and our Filipinos abroad,” Mr. Pangilinan said.

The Senate also urged the Department of Migrant Workers and the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration in coordination with recruitment agencies and employers to implement and expand its monitoring of Filipino workers by conducting regular welfare checks and updating verified locations and deployment lists.

It also called on relevant agencies to update contingency plans including evacuation protocols, temporary shelters, and repatriation pathways.

The resolution also urged the strict compliance with compulsory insurance coverage for agency-hired overseas workers and to strengthen claims assistance and documentation support.

The Middle East is home to about 2.4 million Filipino workers in hospitals, homes, construction and other sectors.

MANILA and Beijing are finalizing details of a cooperation agreement between the Philippine Coast Guard and the China Coast Guard as they move to conclude negotiations, the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) said on Wednesday.

“There is an ongoing effort to conclude a memorandum of understanding (MoU) between the Philippine Coast Guard and the Chinese Coast Guard,” DFA Maritime Affairs spokesman Rogelio E. Villanueva, Jr. told a news briefing.

He added that the details of the MoU are still up for discussion and negotiations between the two parties.

The Foreign Affairs department earlier disclosed plans to draft an MoU to address operational issues and prevent further incidents in the South China Sea.

Tensions between Manila and Beijing have intensified amid repeated encounters at in the South China Sea between their vessels.

“The MoU serves as a confidence-building measure. We would want to hold the negotiations and to conclude this MoU as soon as possible,” Mr. Villanueva said, noting that the conclusion of talks does not have a definite timeline.

He added that it had also held talks with its Chinese foreign ministry counterparts in Beijing last month, where parties discussed views on maritime domain.

“Both sides had an open and candid exchange of views on prevailing bilateral concerns, including in the maritime domain, and explored possible areas of mutually beneficial cooperation,” he said.

The DFA official also said that discussion centered on a possible schedule for the next bilateral consultation mechanism (BCM) between Manila and Beijing.

“We are working closely with the Chinese side to determine the most opportune time and the right environment to hold this BCM,” Mr. Villanueva said. “The DFA will announce soon when this will take place.”

The BCM was established in 2017 as a diplomatic venue for both countries to discuss issues of mutual concern and explore areas of cooperation, particularly in oil and gas development. The Philippines and China last held this meeting in January 2025.

He added that both countries will also hold monthly meetings to finalize the Code of Conduct (CoC) in the South China Sea, which the Philippines aims to complete within the year as chair of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations.

“There are monthly meetings already taking place. Next week we’ll have another meeting to take place on CoC negotiations in Thailand,” he said. “There will be monthly meetings until the end of the year.”

The proposed sea code will implement rules for maritime conduct, dispute resolution and conflict prevention in the South China Sea, where China has continued to assert and expand its presence.

This is despite a 2016 ruling by a United Nations-backed arbitral tribunal that voided its expansive claims, which China continues to disregard.

Philippine officials have reported incidents involving Chinese coast guard and maritime militia vessels, including harassment, such as the use of water cannons on Philippine boats, the conduct of dangerous maneuvers, and swarming near features Manila considers part of its exclusive economic zone. — Adrian H. Halili