President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. said on Friday, September 23, that while his government “cannot stop the drug war,” the focus would be more on prevention and rehabilitation rather than law enforcement.

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“Let us not make our differences concerning maritime [issues] the defining element of our relationship,” says President Marcos.

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President Marcos, reflecting on global conflicts and shifts in the world order, said the world must “abandon the idea of nuclear weapons as deterrence,” adding that global stockpiles must be reduced. 

Jumping off his SONA promise that he would be “jealous of all that is Filipino,” Marcos said in an Asia Society meeting that the Philippines has “no territorial conflict” with China. 

“We have no territorial conflict with China. What we have is China claiming territory that belongs to the Philippines,” he said on September 23, at his last public engagement during the working visit to the US.

The President also called on the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) to “play a stronger role” in territorial conflicts while also “continuing to engage” with China. 

“Let us not make our differences concerning [maritime issues, etc] be the defining aspect of our relationship,” he said, recalling personal conversations with Chinese friends. 

During a bilateral meeting between the Philippines and the United States, US President Joe Biden noted the “very deep roots” of the two countries’ relations.

“We’ve had some rocky times but the fact is it’s a critical, critical relationship from our perspective. I hope you feel the same way,” he told President Marcos at the beginning of their meeting at the Intercontinental Hotel Thursday noon, September 22 in New York.

The White House said in a statement that Biden “reaffirmed the United States’ ironclad commitment to the defense of the Philippines.” The two leaders talked about the South China Sea and “underscored their support for freedom of navigation and overflight and the peaceful resolution of disputes,” the White House added.

Marcos and Biden also spoke about energy security, climate action, infrastructure, the impact on energy prices and food security of Russia’s war on Ukraine, the Burma crisis, regional issues, and “the importance of respect for human rights.” 

Philippine Press Secretary Trixie Cruz-Angeles, asked about the topic of human rights, told Filipino media in New York that she had no details about the discussion yet.  

A day after speaking before the UNGA, President Marcos attended his first bilateral meeting during the six-day working visit. The President met with Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida at a little past 1pm on September 21 in New York.

Marcos will be meeting several other world leaders, including US President Joe Biden.