MANILA: The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) of the Philippines concluded 2024 on a high note, marking a leap year defined by significant diplomatic achievements. The year was characterized by the country’s adept navigation of complex regional geopolitics while advancing its national interests.
According to Philippines News Agency, a pivotal moment came in July when the Philippines reached a ‘provisional arrangement’ with China concerning rotation and resupply missions in the Ayungin Shoal. This agreement represented the first formal diplomatic accord between the two nations regarding the West Philippine Sea. It followed a tense confrontation on June 17 between the Chinese Coast Guard and Filipino vessels, which resulted in injuries and damage, sparking international condemnation.
The DFA highlighted this provisional arrangement as a testament to the Marcos administration’s commitment to a peaceful approach in defending Philippine interests in the West Philippine Sea. As part of efforts to promote a rules-based maritime order, the Philippine government submitted a formal claim over an extended continental shelf in the Western Palawan region to the United Nations in June.
In his State of the Nation Address, President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. emphasized the government’s resolve to assert its rights over the resource-rich waters and explore ways to de-escalate tensions without compromising its position. Foreign Affairs Secretary Enrique Manalo reiterated the country’s dedication to diplomacy and international law in addressing security challenges.
The year 2024 proved to be productive for the Philippines’ diplomatic endeavors, with the DFA engaging with both long-standing and new international partners. Secretary Manalo participated in the 19th Non-Aligned Movement Summit in Uganda, conducting 20 bilateral meetings with African nations. High-level engagements were also held with countries such as Kazakhstan, Lithuania, Mongolia, and Ukraine.
In April, the Philippines hosted the first Philippines-Japan-United States Trilateral Summit, where leaders, including President Joe Biden and former Prime Minister Kishida Fumio, outlined a joint vision for an open and prosperous region. Additionally, a strategic partnership was formed with South Korea, and a free trade agreement between Manila and Seoul took effect on December 31, 2024.
Throughout the year, Secretary Manalo held over 100 bilateral meetings with various international counterparts, enhancing cooperation on regional and global issues. The Philippines also expanded its diplomatic reach by opening new embassies in Bogota, Bucharest, Dublin, and Helsinki, and continued to prioritize the welfare of Filipinos abroad, facilitating the repatriation of distressed citizens from conflict zones.
The transfer of Mary Jane Veloso, a Filipino on death row in Indonesia, to Philippine custody before Christmas highlighted the effectiveness of Philippine diplomacy. The successful negotiations marked the culmination of years of appeals for leniency, allowing Veloso’s return after more than a decade of incarceration.
