STORY: :: Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. adds to calls for peace in the Middle East
:: Cebu, Philippines/May 8, 2026
"ASEAN has expressed serious concern over the escalation of conflict due to the preemptive attacks initiated by Israel and the United States against the Islamic Republic of Iran on February 28, 2026, and the subsequent retaliatory attacks by Iran against several countries in the region."
"We come together guided by ASEAN's long-standing commitment to peace and the collective positions expressed by each ASEAN member state -- the immediate cessation of hostilities, the peaceful settlement of disputes, the protection of civilians and civilian infrastructure, and the restoration of safe, unimpeded, and continuous transit passage in the Strait of Hormuz."
Addressing leaders of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), Marcos called for an immediate cessation of hostilities, the peaceful settlement of disputes, protection of civilians and infrastructure, and the restoration of safe, unimpeded transit through the Strait of Hormuz.
He urged stronger regional coordination to bolster energy security, stabilize supply, and accelerate the shift to renewable sources, while warning that disruptions linked to Hormuz had driven up fertilizer and food prices and underscored the need for coordinated action to safeguard supplies.
Earlier on Friday, about two dozen activists held a protest and urged the Southeast Asian leaders to veer away from fossil fuels, which they said was one of the main issues in the Middle East conflict and also a detriment to the environment.
