Philippines Highlights Maritime Security Approaches in the Country’s Maritime Zones

DFA Assistant Secretary Louis Alferez speaks at the side event on Ocean Security and Maritime Statecraft in the 21st Century

BUSAN 15 May 2025 – The Philippines promoted its strategic approaches to maritime security at a side event held during the 10th Our Ocean Conference in Busan, Republic of Korea on 28-30 April 2025.

The side event, titled “Reconsidering Ocean Security and Maritime Statecraft in the 21st Century”, was organized by the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS) and the Stimson Center. It aimed to examine and discuss the changing nature of maritime security in the 21st century amid global challenges that threaten the established norms of ocean governance and trade.

Representing the Philippines in the panel of experts was Maritime and Ocean Affairs Assistant Secretary Louis Alferez of the Department of Foreign Affairs, who shared the Philippines’ perspective in handling maritime challenges, particularly in the South China Sea and the West Philippine Sea.  Assistant Secretary Alferez emphasized the Philippines’ firm and consistent advocacy for international law and the rules-based international order, particularly the UN Charter, UNCLOS, and the 2016 South China Sea Arbitral Award, the use of effective diplomacy to produce meaningful outcomes, the enhancement of partnerships with like-minded countries regionally and globally, and the national effort to build the domestic capacity and capability to enable Philippine authorities to protect the Philippines’ maritime interests.

“The Philippines’ approach remains clear-eyed towards the security of the ocean, especially in our archipelagic and maritime domain, and particularly in the West Philippine Sea, so that our country and our people can reap the benefits of the ocean for the economic growth and development of the Philippines”, Assistant Secretary Alferez remarked.

Alluding to the interconnection of countries through the ocean, Assistant Secretary Alferez emphasized that “what occurs in the South China Sea has the potential to impact not just the countries in the region but also the rest of the world”, adding that “maintaining peace and stability in the South China Sea is of fundamental interest for the international community.” END 

Assistant Secretary Alferez with other panelists at the side event.