The country is gearing up to defend its territories amidst mounting tensions with China, President Marcos conveyed to graduating military cadets in a speech at the Philippine Military Academy (PMA) “Bagong Sinag” class of 2024 graduation ceremony.
Marcos emphasized the need to protect what belongs to the Philippines in the face of China’s bold territorial claims and aggressive actions. He stressed the importance of abiding by international laws and regulations while safeguarding the nation’s sovereignty.
China’s recent announcement empowering its coast guard to detain individuals and vessels found trespassing in what it considers its waters has sparked concerns. The Philippines has rejected China’s expansive territorial claim in the South China Sea, a crucial maritime route for global trade.
In the midst of escalating tensions, the Philippine Coast Guard dismissed China’s rule as mere psychological operations and asserted the rights of Filipino vessels to navigate freely in the West Philippine Sea.
Senate leaders, including Senate President Juan Miguel Zubiri and Sen. Jinggoy Estrada, have urged China to abide by international laws and conventions while seeking peaceful resolutions to disputes in the region. Speaker Martin Romualdez condemned China’s provocative actions and called for responsible behavior in the global community.
As the Philippines remains steadfast in defending its sovereignty, government officials and military personnel are preparing to address the challenges posed by China’s territorial assertions in the West Philippine Sea.
