‘Philippines will accept only UNCLOS-based COC’File photo shows Navy personnel during a flag ceremony on Panata Island, part of the Kalayaan Island Group, in February 2024. MANILA, Philippines — Only a Code of Conduct (COC) in the South China Sea anchored on the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) will be acceptable to the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), the Philippines’ top diplomat said. Theresa Lazaro outlined the Philippines’ priorities as ASEAN chair in 2026, including pushing for the conclusion of a legally binding COC with China. Lazaro said the Philippines would insist that the COC explicitly references UNCLOS as negotiations move toward completing the document within the year. “Our main objective here is to have a COC that is UNCLOS-based.

Source: Philippine Star February 18, 2026 16:31 UTC