AS TENSIONS with China heighten, President Ferdinand Marcos, Jr. said the West Philippine Sea is “not an imagination,” adding that the country would continue asserting its territorial sovereignty through “acceptable means.”
During his third State of the Nation Address (SONA) on Monday, July 22, Marcos said such efforts would be made through proper diplomatic channels and mechanisms under the rules-based international order.
“The Philippines cannot yield. The Philippines cannot waver. We are now more conscious as a people, and strategic in heightening our aerial and maritime domain awareness,” Marcos said at the Batasang Pambansa Complex in Quezon City.
“We are now more conscious as a people, and strategic in heightening our aerial and maritime domain awareness… Ang West Philippine Sea ay hindi isang kathang-isip natin lamang. Ito ay atin. At ito ay mananatiling atin, hangga’t nag-aalab ang diwa ng ating mahal na bansang Pilipinas,” he added.
(The West Philippine Sea is not just an imagination of ours. It is ours. And it will remain ours, as long as the spirit of our beloved country that is the Philippines keeps burning.)
The President said the government is also boosting the country’s “defense posture” through “self-reliance” and “partnerships with like-minded states.”
“In the face of challenges to our territorial sovereignty, we will assert our rights and interests in the same fair and pacific way that we have always done.”
Temporary arrangement
A day before Marcos’ address, the Department of Foreign Affairs announced that a temporary arrangement with China had been reached to allow rotation and resupply missions to BRP Sierra Madre in Ayungin Shoal. The BRP Sierra Madre, intentionally grounded in the area in 1999 to help establish the country’s maritime claim, is a ship in active service under the Philippine Navy.
The agreement came after Chinese coast guards harassed troops of the resupply vessels headed to the garrisoned ship and fired water cannons at the disputed Scarborough Shoal.
In his SONA, Marcos noted the country’s development in improving its own defense and establishing alliances.
“We are continuing to strengthen our defense posture, both through developing self-reliance and through partnerships with like-minded states,” Marcos said.
He also called for the youth and succeeding generations’ awareness of the country’s claim on the WPS.
“Laws on our maritime zones and archipelagic sea lanes will make sure that this intergenerational mandate [and] this duty will firmly take root in the hearts and minds of our people.”
In 2016, the Permanent Court of Arbitration ruled in favor of the Philippines in the case against China’s historical claim over the South China Sea. However, China refused to accept and participate in the arbitral hearings led by the Philippines. F
