MANILA - President Ferdinand Marcos, Jr. believes that “proper” diplomatic channels will remain the only way to address escalating tensions in the South China Sea, particularly in the West Philippine Sea (WPS).
This was stated by Marcos in his third State of the Nation Address (SONA) delivered in Batasang Pambansa Complex, Quezon City on Monday.
In his address, Marcos acknowledged the challenges to the country’s territorial sovereignty but asserts that the “only acceptable means of settling disputes” is through diplomacy.
“In our international relations we have faced challenges to our territorial sovereignty, we will assert our rights and interests in the same fair and pacific way that we have always done,” Marcos said.
“Proper diplomatic channels and mechanisms under the rules-based international order remain the only acceptable means of settling disputes,” he added.
The President also mentioned that “peace and community-building” will always be the country’s “clarion call”, in time with the Philippines serving as chair and host of the ASEAN Summit in 2026.
According to Marcos, the country is continuously looking for ways to de-escalate tensions in contested areas.
“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,” Marcos said.
Earlier, the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) confirmed that the Philippines and China has reached an agreement regarding an arrangement for the rotation and resupplying (RORE) for troops stationed on a Philippine military vessel, BRP Sierra Madre, on Ayungin Shoal.
In a release from the DFA, it stated that the Philippines and China have reached an understanding on the provisional arrangement for the resupply of daily necessities and rotation missions to the BRP Sierra Madre.
This was achieved after a series of consultations following the “frank and constructive” discussions between the two sides during the 9th Bilateral Consultation Mechanism (BCM) on the South China Sea in Manila last July 2, 2024, the statement continued.
“Both sides continue to recognize the need to de-escalate the situation in the South China Sea and manage differences through dialogue and consultation and agree that the agreement will not prejudice each other’s positions in the South China Sea,” the DFA stated.
Strengthening PH’s defense posture
The President believes that strengthening the country’s defense posture is also important through “heightening our aerial and maritime domain awareness.”
According to Marcos, one way is through developing “self-reliance” and “through partnerships with like-minded states.”
Recently, the Philippines signed a reciprocal access agreement (RAA) with Japan last July 8, making it possible to move military forces between parties concerned for training and humanitarian operations. Congress has yet to ratify the agreement.
The Philippines already has an existing agreement with the United States of America called the Visiting Forces Agreement (VFA) since 1999 and with Australia since 2012.
After Japan, the country is seeking more RAAs with other nations, particularly with Canada, New Zealand, and France, the Defense Department confirmed.
With this, Marcos reiterated that the West Philippine Sea is within the Philippines’ territory and is not a product or figment of the imagination.
“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 mentioned.
(The West Philippine Sea is not a figment of our imagination. It is ours. And will remain so, as long as the spirit of the Philippines will keep on burning).
Marcos also underscored the importance of passing on the “consciousness” and “knowledge” regarding the country’s sovereign rights and jurisdiction to the youth and to generations to come.
“Pagtitibayin at palalaguin natin ang kamalayan at kaalaman ng buong bansa, at titiyakin na maipapasa natin ito sa ating kabataan at ating susunod na mga salinlahi,” Marcos stated.
(We will instill and enshrine the consciousness and identity of the country, and will ensure that this will be passed on to the youth and to the next generation).
