Manila, June 16 -- President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. on Tuesday expressed optimism over the ceasefire agreement between the United States (US) and Iran, describing it as a positive development that could help restore global peace and stability amid rising geopolitical tensions.

Marcos stressed that any step toward peace is a "good step," noting that the Philippines joins other countries in hoping that the agreement would lead to the full cessation of hostilities and the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz.

"We heard the news a couple of days past that there has been an agreement that has been arrived at, at least on the basis of that agreement that the fighting immediately will stop, the blockade of the United States will be withdrawn, a...