Amid sea threat, Marcos Jr. rallies allies

MANILA, Philippines — With peace and stability in the region “under threat,” President Marcos has called on allies to “join forces” in stopping actions that “denigrate” the rule of law, as he vowed to resist any effort by foreign aggressors to seize even an inch of the country’s territory.

Addressing the Australian Parliament in Canberra yesterday, Marcos said the Philippines and Australia have always understood that the region would not have emerged as a driver of the global economy were it not for the predictability and stability of a rules-based order.

He noted that prosperity and development are anchored on peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific region, which is now facing challenges requiring cooperation among nations.

Also yesterday, the Philippines and Australia signed three memoranda of understanding – including one on sharing of information and best practices in cyber and critical technology.

“Today, that peace, that stability, and our continued success, have come under threat. Once again, we must come together as partners to face the common challenges confronting the region. Not one single country can do this by itself. No single force alone can counter them by themselves,” the President told Australian lawmakers.

“This is why our strategic partnership has grown more important than ever. We must reinforce each other’s strengths. We must protect the peace that we fought for during the war and have jealously guarded in the decades since. We must oppose actions that clearly denigrate the rule of law,” he added.

While he did not mention China’s hostile actions in the South China Sea in his speech, Marcos said the protection of the sealane as a “vital, critical global artery” is crucial in preserving regional and global peace.

“The challenges that we face may be formidable, but equally formidable is our resolve. We will not yield,” Marcos said.

“Then as now, the security and continued prosperity of the region – of countries like Australia – relies upon that effort. Just as we fought to build our rules-based international order, so are we now fighting to protect it.”

The President cited the need to “uphold, preserve, and defend” the unified and universal