Cebu, May 8 (AseanAll)  — The Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) has been calling for peace in the Middle East to allow parties in the conflict to work on finding a lasting solution to the geopolitical issue, Philippine President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. said on May 8,2026.

Marcos, made the remarks before members of the media after leading the 48th ASEAN Summit in Cebu.

Asked about ASEAN’s call to the parties involved in the Middle East conflict,  Marcos said: “Peace. That is, it’s that simple. Peace. And we have made that position very clear.”

“We have the foreign ministers when they met previous to this summit, already put out that document calling for all parties to cease hostilities and to take a step back, open the Strait of Hormuz, and find a way for a lasting peace.”

Having peace now would be fundamental to any discussion about the war in the Middle East that involves the U.S., Israel, and Iran, the President said.

According to the Philippine leader, it will be the first step because the warring parties will achieve absolutely nothing until there is peace.

The world is now in limbo where many things remain uncertain, President Marcos said, noting that it is very hard to put together any kind of solution if the fighting and the bombings continue.

The President described the situation as “very difficult.”

The Middle East conflict has resulted in an alarming global energy crisis and disruptions in the supply chain.

The severe restrictions in oil flows, particularly in the Strait of Hormuz, have affected the movement of goods causing inflation, pushing up the cost of living, and threatening food security of millions across the globe.