Philippine Foreign Affairs Secretary Enrique A. Manalo Visits London
Philippine Foreign Affairs Secretary Enrique A. Manalo meets with UK’s National Security Adviser Jonathan Powell
LONDON 21 February 2025 – Building on the success of 2nd PH-UK Strategic Dialogue earlier this month, Secretary for Foreign Affairs Enrique A. Manalo undertook a visit to London, United Kingdom, from 16-19 February 2025. During his visit, Secretary Manalo met with UK National Security Adviser (NSA) Jonathan Powell.
Secretary Manalo and NSA Powell recalled the recent high-level engagements between the Philippines and the United Kingdom, and committed to sustain the same under the PH-UK Enhanced Partnership. The Enhanced Partnership will allow deeper and wider cooperation on trade, maritime, defense, and economic cooperation, among other areas of mutual interest.
Secretary Manalo and NSA Powell also exchanged views on regional security issues, such as South China Sea, ASEAN, Myanmar, and Ukraine. NSA Powell reaffirmed the UK’s support to the Philippines’ policy and position on dealing with issues in the South China Sea. Secretary Manalo welcomed the strengthening partnerships of the Philippines with like-minded countries such as the UK in upholding a rules-based international order and the rule of law in the Indo-Pacific. Aside from bilateral engagements, Secretary Manalo had a roundtable discussion with executives of British corporations at Asia House, where he provided valuable insights on the state and direction of the PH-UK relations, PH-US relations, and the tensions in the South China Sea/West Philippine Sea.
Secretary Manalo noted that in its Annual Outlook 2025, Asia House named the Philippines as among Asia's star performers in their Annual Outlook 2025. Asia House’s 2024 Business Perceptions Survey opines that geopolitical tensions remain the most significant risk to the region’s economic outlook.
The Secretary noted that “[T]he tensions in the South China Sea remain due to the continuing illegal, coercive, aggressive and deceptive actions against legitimate operations by Philippine authorities in the maritime zones under our sovereignty, sovereign rights and jurisdiction.”
He emphasized the Philippines’ commitment to resolving these matters through diplomacy and peaceful means on the basis of international law, especially UNCLOS. Secretary Manalo also had a dialogue with at least 500 (in-person and online) attendees at the Royal Institute of International Affairs (Chatham House). The audience, composed of diplomats, subject-matter experts, students, media, and Chatham House members, appreciated Secretary Manalo clear and candid responses to questions on the Philippines’ bilateral relations with the UK, US, and China, and PH’s position on the South China Sea/West Philippine Sea and other Indo-Pacific issues.
Secretary Manalo underscored the Philippine position on the South China Sea disputes, stating that “it has been clear and consistent: maritime claims cannot exceed the limits set by the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea. The Philippines will defend its national interests and maritime entitlements, but we are committed to diplomacy and the peaceful settlement of disputes.”
While in London, the Secretary was also interviewed by the Financial Times, SkyNews, and BBC World Service. Ahead of his visit to London, Secretary Manalo met with UK Foreign Secretary David Lammy at the Munich Security Conference, where they reaffirmed both countries’ commitment to an Enhanced Partnership. Secretary Lammy is also set to visit the Philippines in March 2025. END
Secretary Manalo engages in a roundtable discussion with UK corporate executive at Asia House
Secretary Manalo leads an interactive dialogue at Chatham House, moderated by Ben Bland, Director of Chatham House’ Asia Pacific Programme
Members of the Audience during the Dialogue with Secretary Manalo, composed of the diplomats, subject-matter experts, students, media, and Chatham House members
Audience members approach Secretary Manalo after his dialogue at Chatham House