MANILA, Philippines — President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. departed for New York on Sunday to attend meetings at the United Nations headquarters on March 9–10, where he will call for peace in the Middle East.
According to the Presidential Communications Office (PCO), Marcos’ plane took off at 10:22 a.m. from Villamor Air Base, carrying key Cabinet members. Accompanying him are First Lady Liza Marcos, Foreign Affairs Secretary Maria Theresa Lazaro, Migrant Workers Secretary Hans Leo Cacdac, Presidential Peace Adviser Carlito Galvez Jr., and Presidential Communications Secretary Dave Gomez.
According to Angelica Escalona, Marcos’ visit is “very important,” emphasizing the UN as the appropriate forum to advocate for peace and the protection of civilians, particularly the more than 2 million Filipinos residing in the region.
“The President will offer a voice from our region, from developing countries, and call for restraint, respect for international law including the UN charter and humanitarian law and for all concerned to return to the negotiating table for peace,” Escalona said.
Marcos is also scheduled to meet with UN Secretary-General António Guterres to discuss the latest developments in the Middle East. He will not be meeting with US President Donald Trump during this trip.
The escalation of the US-Israeli conflict with Iran has already triggered regional and global repercussions, including an expected rise in oil prices in the Philippines, with diesel projected to reach about P80 per liter.
In addition to his peace advocacy, Marcos will address a special session of the UN General Assembly to rally support for the Philippines’ candidacy for a non-permanent seat on the UN Security Council for 2027–2028. He will also speak at the 70th Session of the Commission on the Status of Women.
