Holy See envoy says dialogue important to prevent escalation

MANILA, Philippines — An envoy from the Holy See underscored the importance of engaging with those who we disagree with to avoid “the catastrophe of escalation.”

The dean of the Diplomatic Corps Papal Nuncio Charles Brown was present in the traditional vin d’honneur hosted by President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. in Malacañan Palace on the occasion of the Philippines’ Independence Day.

Addressing envoys from a wide range of countries— including China and Russia, Brown likened today’s geopolitical situation to the Cold War in the 1960s.

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“When President (Diosdado) Macapagal gave his speech in June of 1962 proposing the change of the date of the Independence Day of the Philippines, the world was experiencing dangerous polarization, which indeed came to a crisis point only a few months later in October of that year,” said Brown.

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“Regrettably, our geopolitical situation in 2024 is not so different. The end of history did not arrive in the 1990s. History has continued,” he added.

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While Brown did not specify which situation he was referring to, the Philippines has been at the forefront against China’s maritime expansion in the West Philippine Sea.

“Patient, serious dialogue, together with a respect for international law and a respect for legitimate diversity. Engaging with others, and particularly those with whom we profoundly disagree, is the surest way of avoiding the catastrophe of escalation,” Brown said.

Tensions between Beijing and Manila have escalated since Marcos assumed the presidency and reasserted the Philippines’ claim over the disputed waters.

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