Permanent Court of Arbitration Secretary General Marcin Czepelak paid a courtesy visit to President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on Thursday, August 29, in the Malacanang.
The Presidential Communications Office (PCO) said that President Marcos stressed the importance of the Permanent Court of Arbitration (PCA) to the foreign policy of the Philippines during the visit of Czepelak.
"The Permanent Court of Arbitration is an important part of our foreign policy considering all the challenges that we are facing right now. And our continuing adherence to international law," the Chief Executive told Czepelak as quoted by the PCO.
Czepelak, meanwhile, thanked President Marcos for setting aside time for the meeting.
“It is my first time and it is fantastic experience to be able to, first, I meet a lot of people and then I’m allowed to even visit some places. And I’m very happy that you found the time," Czepelak said.
Czepelak visits the Philippines amidst the growing tensions between the country and China over the West Philippine Sea.
He will stay in the Philippines until Friday, August 30.
In 2016, the Permanent Court of Arbitration ruled in favor of the Philippines and discredited the claims of China in the West Philippine Sea, also known as the South China Sea.
China refuses to recognize the 2016 ruling.
