President Marcos on Thursday urged leaders of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean) to oppose the use of maritime militia in disputed areas of the South China Sea, a day after China claimed that it was upholding peace and harmony in waters disputed among six nations. The President did not mention China or any other country when he made the remark at the Asean dialogue with other East Asian as well as Western leaders, including US Vice President Kamala Harris, on the closing day of the annual summit. Marcos had a so-called “pull-aside meeting” with Harris, but the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) did not announce details, except to say that the talks were on security.

Mangaluz, J. (2023, September 8). Militias don't ease tension, Marcos says at Asean meet. Philippine Daily Inquirer, p. A7.