Marcos, Singaporean leaders urge peace in South China Sea, call for release of political prisoners in Myanmar

Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, September 7) — Top officials of the Philippines and Singapore have reiterated the call for peace and stability in the region as they tackled issues hounding Myanmar and the South China Sea.

In a statement on Wednesday, the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) said President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. — who is in Singapore for his state visit — exchanged views with President Halimah Yacob and Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong with regard to developments in the global arena.

The leaders, for instance, underscored the importance of maintaining security in the disputed waters, and pushed for a peaceful resolution of conflict without any threat or use of force.

"They underscored the importance of the full and effective implementation of the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea in its entirety, and to conduct substantive negotiations towards the conclusion of an effective and substantive Code of Conduct (COC) in the South China Sea," read the DFA statement.

"They emphasized the need to maintain and promote an environment conducive to the COC negotiations," it added.

The COC is a crucial document which will lay down the allowable actions and behavior that parties can take in the South China Sea.

RELATED: PH has to be 'more flexible' in talks on South China Sea Code of Conduct - DFA exec

Meanwhile, Marcos and his counterparts likewise expressed "deep concern" over the crisis in Myanmar and backed calls for the release of all political detainees, who include state officials.

"The leaders expressed support for ASEAN's [Association of Southeast Asian Nations] active role in assisting Myanmar to overcome the current crisis and to return to the path of democratization," the DFA said.

Aside from ASEAN developments, the officials also touched on other international matters, including the ongoing Russia-Ukraine war, according to the agency.

Marcos is expected to return home Wednesday evening after wrapping up his inaugural visits to Singapore and Indonesia.