Marcos pledges to protect press freedom and maintain regional neutrality

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. addressed press freedom and regional security during a luncheon hosted by the Foreign Correspondents Association of the Philippines.

Regarding media, Marcos emphasized that a free and independent press is “indispensable to any democratic society.” He stated that the government views journalists as partners in ensuring transparency, accountability, and good governance, noting that the administration's goal is to defend press freedom rather than diminish it.

On the subject of regional geopolitics, Marcos clarified that the Philippines does not intend to be a “belligerent” nation in the event of tensions between China and Taiwan. He asserted that the country will not allow its territory to be used for attacks against others, stating that the Philippines is focused on the defense of its own territory and the maintenance of regional peace and stability. He noted that the foreign policy decisions of other nations, such as the United States, remain internal matters for those respective governments.