President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. reaffirmed that the West Philippine Sea (WPS) belongs to the Filipinos, standing firm against China’s aggressions in the resource-rich region.
“The West Philippine Sea is not a mere figment of our imagination. It is ours. It will remain ours as long as the spirit of our beloved nation, the Philippines, burns bright,” Marcos declared in his State of the Nation Address (SONA) at the Batasang Pambansa complex, earning a standing ovation from the audience.
He emphasized that the country “cannot yield, cannot waiver” in protecting its sovereignty.
“We are continuing to strengthen our defense posture, both through developing self-reliance and through partnerships with like-minded states,” he added.
The President expressed gratitude to the Armed Forces of the Philippines, the Philippine Coast Guard, and the fisherfolk in the region for their efforts in protecting and monitoring the area.
“To our entire Armed Forces, Coast Guard, and the fisherfolk in the West Philippine Sea, accept the heartfelt thanks of the entire nation for your vigilance and sacrifices,” Marcos said.
Unlike his predecessor, Rodrigo Duterte, Marcos has maintained a more assertive stance regarding relations with China. He committed that Filipinos would never yield their territory and vowed to protect the country’s sovereign rights down to “the last square millimeter.”
Recently, the Philippines and China reached an understanding on an arrangement to avoid conflicts at the disputed Ayungin Shoal, according to the Department of Foreign Affairs.
“The Philippines and the People’s Republic of China have reached an understanding on the provisional arrangement for the resupply of daily necessities and rotation (RoRe) missions to the BRP Sierra Madre in Ayungin Shoal,” the DFA stated.
The Philippines won a landmark case against China’s extensive claims in the South China Sea. On July 16, 2016, an arbitral tribunal in The Hague invalidated China’s historical claims, but Beijing does not recognize the ruling.
Despite the ruling, China has continued its aggressive actions in the region, including shadowing and ramming Filipino vessels and deploying water cannons against local servicemen.