BY Joseph Anthony A. Damgo
While vowing to continue defending the country’s sovereignty, President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr. yesterday said the Philippines will never resort to war in resolving issues in the South China Sea (SCS).
Speaking before the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) Western Command in Palawan, the President said the country will settle WPS issues in a peaceful manner.
“We are not in the business to instigate wars – our great ambition is to provide a peaceful and prosperous life for every Filipino. This is the drum beat. This is the principle that we live by and that we march by,” President Marcos said.
“We refuse to play by the rules that force us to choose sides in a great power competition. No government that truly exists in the service of the people will invite danger or harm to lives and livelihood,” he added.
The President made the remarks in the wake of the recent aggressive actions of China in Ayungin Shoal, where a Philippine Navy personnel was injured in the latest confrontation between Chinese and the Philippine Naval forces.
In his speech, President Marcos called on the Western Command to continue to fulfill their duty of defending the Philippines with integrity and respect.
“And that is why, in defending the nation, we stay true to our Filipino nature that we would like to settle all these issues peacefully. And in the performance of our duties, we will not resort to the use of force or intimidation, or deliberately inflict injury or harm to anyone,” he said.
But the President said the Philippines’ calm and peaceful disposition should not be mistaken for acquiescence as he reiterated that Filipinos will not yield to any foreign power.
“We owe to our forefathers the duty to keep the freedoms that they fought, bled, and died for; and that we presently enjoy. Kailanman ay hindi tayo magpapasupil at magpapaapi kahit na kanino man,” he said.
“The Philippines is a responsible state. We will continue to exercise our freedoms and rights in support of our national interest, in accordance with international law,” the Commander-in-chief added.
At the same time, the President vowed to continue exerting all efforts to defend the country’s maritime domain and sovereign rights.
President Marcos rallied the troops to continue the mission – to defend the country’s maritime domain and allow the citizens to exercise their sovereign rights within the Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) of the Philippines.
“Since I became President, I have made it very, very clear that we will do everything that we need to do to defend our territory, to defend our sovereignty, and to allow our citizens to exercise their sovereign rights within the EEZ,” President Marcos said.
The President thanked WESCOM troops for defending the country amid Chinese provocations in the West Philippine Sea (WPS). He lauded the troops in the recent resupply mission in Ayungin Shoal for their brave actions against Chinese hostilities.
“Hindi magbabago ang ating pananaw dito sa sitwasyon na ito. Hindi tayo maaaring pilitin na basta pabayaan na lang na kung sino-sino ang magsasabi — hindi na sa inyo ‘yan, amin ito. Hindi na puwedeng mangyari ‘yun,” President Marcos told the troops.
President Marcos said the Philippines stands on “very solid international legal grounds” that are recognized by the whole world as far as the SCS is concerned.
The President expressed gratitude to the WESCOM whom he said, plays an important role in defending the country’s sovereignty in WPS.
“You have played a very, very important part in the defense of our sovereignty. Napakahalaga ng inyong ginagawa. Alam ko na nandito kayo, nasa kampo kayo, pumupunta kayo, lumalabas kayo – baka hindi ninyo nararamdaman na ang buong Pilipinas ay sinasaludo kayo sa inyong ginagawa,” President Marcos said.
“Nagpapasalamat ako sa inyong lahat sa serbisyo ninyo and the sacrifices that you have been making to continue to fight for and defend our territorial integrity,” President Marcos said, adding the government is standing firm on its position in the SCS.
“Hindi magbabago ang ating pananaw dito sa sitwasyon na ito. Hindi tayo maaaring pilitin na basta pabayaan na lang na kung sino-sino ang magsasabi – hindi na sa inyo ‘yan, amin ito. Hindi na pwedeng mangyari ‘yun,” he added.
The President said the government “will do everything” to defend the country’s territory and sovereignty and to allow the Filipinos to exercise their sovereign rights within the Philippines’ exclusive economic zone (EEZ).
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