MANILA, Philippines – President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. fights for the Philippines' rights to the West Philippine Sea.
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| Photo courtesy: ABS-CBN News |
In the midst of tensions between the Philippines and China, President Marcos strongly insisted that the rights in the West Philippine Sea are not fictional.
“Ang West Philippine Sea ay hindi kathang isip natin lamang. Ito ay atin. At ito ay mananatiling atin hangga’t nag-aalab ang diwa ng ating minamahal na bansang Pilipinas,” Marcos said in his third State of the Nation Address (SONA) at the Batasang Pambansa on Monday, July 22.
After he mentioned the West Philippine Sea, Marcos received a round of applause at the Batasang Pambansa.
“Pagtitibayin at palalaguin natin ang kamalayan at kaalaman ng buong bansa at titiyakin na maipapasa natin ito sa kabataan at ating susunod na mga salinlahi,” the President added.
Marcos also stated his gratitude for the Philippine Navy, Philippine Coast Guard and the Filipino fisherfolks.
“Tanggapin po ninyo ang taos-pusong pasasalamat ng buong bansa dahil sa inyong ginagawang pagmamatyag at sakripisyo,” he said.
Beijing, China asserts ownership of 90 percent of the South China Sea — including parts of the West Philippine Sea — and rejects an international court ruling in 2016 that invalidated its sweeping claims.
Troops from Manila and Beijing have had tensions in the West Philippine Sea in recent months, with one of the latest incidents resulting in a Filipino sailor losing a thumb in a June 17 confrontation.
— Carl Santiago, The Summit Express
