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‘WPS not figment of imagination; it is ours’
By Nidz Godino
“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…proper diplomatic channels and mechanisms under rules-based international order remain only acceptable means of settling disputes,” President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. said toward end of his speech at Batasang Pambansa country will relentlessly defend its rights and interests in West Philippines Sea for generations to come, emotional President Marcos declared in his third State of the Nation Address, drawing strongest applause and standing ovation.
He stressed that country would continue to assert its rights and interests through proper diplomatic channels and based on international laws.
He maintained West Philippine Sea was not figment of imagination: “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….we will strengthen and raise awareness and knowledge of entire country, and we will ensure that we can pass it on to our youth and our next generations,” Marcos said.
He said proposed laws on maritime zones and archipelagic sea lanes would ensure “this intergenerational mandate will firmly take root in the hearts and minds of our people.”
Marcos also thanked Armed Forces, Coast Guard and Filipino fishermen for their “vigilance and sacrifice.”
The Chief Executive’s remarks came day after Department of Foreign Affairs said Philippines and China have agreed on“arrangement” for resupplying Filipino troops stationed on BRP Sierra Madre, rusting Navy vessel that serves as country’s outpost in Ayungin Shoal.
“We continuously try to find ways to de-escalate tensions in contested areas with our counterparts, without compromising our position and our principles… I know that our neighbors too are doing their very best to make this work, Philippines cannot yield… Philippines cannot waver,” Marcos said.
While Philippines espouses peaceful resolution of maritime dispute, Marcos will persist in strengthening aerial and maritime domain awareness as well as its defense capabilities, including through partnerships with like-minded states.
He said peace and community-building would “always be our clarion call,” especially when the country hosts Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Summit in 2026.
In tweet after Marcos’ SONA, Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) Commodore Jay Tarriela thanked the President for “supporting our transparency efforts in ensuring that our youth will have awakened sense of patriotism, enabling them to carry on our fight in West Philippine Sea because Filipinos never yield…we will not yield.”
Earlier Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) belied China’s “inaccurate” statement that Manila had agreed to its conditions for guaranteeing uninterrupted resupply mission to BRP Sierra Madre in Ayungin (Second Thomas) Shoal.
In statement, DFA spokesperson Teresita Daza said Philippines in fact had rejected China’s three conditions for letting resupply missions go unmolested advance notification, on-site inspection, no construction materials under supposed agreement forged over weekend.
“For the Philippines, this means that we will continue to assert our rights and jurisdiction in our maritime zones as entitled under UNCLOS, including in Ayungin Shoal which is within Philippines’ exclusive economic zone (EEZ) and continental shelf,” Daza said.
Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson said China would only allow resupply mission “if Philippines informs China in advance and after on-site verification is conducted.”
Foreign ministry also said “China will monitor entire resupply process.”
But Daza called foreign ministry’s statement “absurd, nonsense and unacceptable.” Agreement , she pointed out, was “done in good faith” and was based on respect for each other’s positions.
“Principles and approaches laid out in agreement were reached through series of careful and meticulous consultations between both sides that paved way for convergence of ideas without compromising national positions,” she said.
“Spokesperson’s statement therefore regarding prior notification and on-site confirmation is inaccurate,” DFA official said.
“Nonetheless, in our desire to de-escalate situation in South China Sea and to manage differences in peaceful manner, we emphasize that agreement was done in good faith and Philippines remains ready to implement it…we urge China to do the same,” Daza said.
An agreement to de-escalate tensions came after series of consultations following frank and constructive discussions between two countries during 9th Bilateral Consultation Mechanism on South China Sea in Manila on July 2.
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