US VP Harris’ Palawan visit won’t aggravate Phl-China dispute — Marcos
US Vice President Kamala Harris addresses the APEC CEO Summit during the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation Summit in Bangkok on 18 November 2022. Photo by JACK TAYLOR / POOL / AFP
Bangkok, Thailand — President Bongbong Marcos is unconvinced that US Vice President Kamala Harris's trip to Palawan would exacerbate the maritime dispute between Manila and Beijing.
In a media briefing as he concluded his four-day participation in APEC Summit, Marcos was asked if he believes Harris's visit to Palawan—the province nearest to the South China Sea—may fuel the tensions between the two countries.
Marcos said postulations such as this do not concern him.
"I don't see why they should (concern me). She is in the Philippines and she is visiting another part of the Philippines," said Marcos.
"And of course, it is the closest area to the South China Sea, but it's very clearly on Philippine territory. So I don't think there should be — I don't think it will cause problems," he added.