The Philippines has strategically activated regional alliances within the ASEAN bloc to amplify diplomatic pressure on East Timor amid a burgeoning extradition dispute. Leveraging the collective voice of Southeast Asian nations, Manila aims to assert a unified front, emphasizing the importance of mutual legal assistance and adherence to ASEAN’s principle of non-interference paired with cooperative problem-solving. This maneuver not only raises the stakes in bilateral negotiations but also highlights the Philippines’ growing confidence in utilizing regional solidarity as a tool to resolve sensitive legal conflicts. Observers note that this approach underscores ASEAN’s evolving role from a purely economic…