Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) Spokesperson Daza on Monday emphasized the continuous need for the Philippines to stand firm in claiming its rightful territories.
This was after China Coast Guard blasted water cannons on Philippine vessels near Ayungin Shoal in the West Philippine Sea (WPS).
She asserted that the government's stance is clear that no portion of the Philippine land should be surrendered to China.
“It's important for the Philippines to continually assert what is rightfully ours,“ she exclaimed.
“The policy of this government is very clear, not one inch of our territory should be handed over to China,“ Daza pointed out.
The DFA spokesperson highlighted that China lacks any legitimate claim or legal grounds to hinder the Philippines from exercising its sovereign authority and jurisdiction.
She added that China's intentions are aimed at clarification, while the Philippines must be prepared for any possible scenario.
Spox. Daza: China has no right or legal basis to prevent us for exercising such sovereign rights and jurisdiction.#SamaSamaTayoPilipino
— DZRH NEWS (@dzrhnews) August 7, 2023
Spox. Daza: The end goal of China is to explain, and for us, the Philippines, is to prepare for any eventuality.#SamaSamaTayoPilipino
— DZRH NEWS (@dzrhnews) August 7, 2023
In the upcoming steps taken by the Philippines, Daza affirmed that “we will exhaust all mechanism so that we can bring the Philippine position in terms of what's happening in our waters.”
The maritime incident took place a month after Chinese Coast Guard vessels engaged in risky maneuvers that nearly resulted in a collision with two PCG ships near Ayungin Shoal in the WPS.
President Ferdinand 'Bongbong' Marcos said that DFA Secretary Enrique Manalo personally handed a diplomatic communication to the Office of Chinese Ambassador Huang Xilian, containing documented visual evidence of the event.
