President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has issued an executive order to strengthen the country’s maritime security and domain awareness amid escalating tensions with China over territorial disputes.
Executive Order 57, signed on March 25, aims to address issues impacting national security, sovereignty, sovereign rights, and maritime jurisdiction over the Philippines’ maritime zones.
The order comes in response to “illegal, coercive, aggressive, and dangerous attacks” by the China Coast Guard and Chinese maritime militia, as stated by Marcos.
Under the order, the National Coast Watch Council has been reorganized as the National Maritime Council, tasked with formulating policies and strategies for maritime security and domain awareness. The council will include heads of various government agencies involved in national security and maritime affairs.
The National Task Force for the West Philippine Sea will be attached to the council to coordinate government agency efforts in the West Philippine Sea.
Additionally, the National Coast Watch Center has been renamed the National Maritime Center, under the leadership of the Philippine Coast Guard.
Marcos has affirmed that the Philippines will not back down in the face of Chinese aggression, particularly following a recent confrontation near Ayungin Shoal where Chinese vessels blocked a resupply mission to Filipino troops stationed at BRP Sierra Madre.
China’s claims in the South China Sea have been a point of contention with neighboring countries, including the Philippines, and international legal rulings have deemed them invalid.
With defense ties strengthening with the United States under Marcos’ administration, relations between Manila and Beijing have become strained as the Philippines pushes back against Chinese actions targeting Filipino troops.
