FOREIGN MINISTERS. Manila hosts ASEAN foreign ministers for the 59th AMM.
ASEAN 2026
The lack of a response is because the Philippines and China are still 'discussing' the issue, says Foreign Affairs Secretary Maria Theresa Lazaro
MANILA, Philippines – Philippine Foreign Affairs Secretary Maria Theresa Lazaro said on Tuesday, July 21, she raised a recent confrontation between Chinese and Filipino personnel at Ayungin (Second Thomas) Shoal with her counterparts in the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), but they “did not respond.”
“I was the one who presented it as part of the discussion… but the foreign ministers did not respond to that position that I made because I think everything is still being discussed between the two parties,” said Lazaro in a huddle with media late Tuesday, following the retreat session between ASEAN foreign ministers in Manila.
