Filipinos will not yield

In a statement issued by President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and posted on X last Thursday, he unequivocally affirmed the sentiment of Filipinos that “…we will not be cowed into silence, submission or subservience” in the face of relentless bullying and harassment by Chinese Coast Guard (CCG) and maritime militia vessels in the West Philippine Sea.

We received hundreds of messages worldwide expressing full support to the Philippines, inspired by the President’s message which all found inspiring and powerful. So let me share President Marcos’ post in full:

“Over the course of these past days, I have met with and spoken to our country’s National Security and Defense leadership. They have made their considered recommendations and, through exhaustive consultations, I have given them my directives.

“I have also been in constant communication with representatives of relevant allies, partners and friends in the international community.

“They have offered to help us on what the Philippines requires to protect and secure our Sovereignty, sovereign rights and jurisdiction while ensuring peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific.

“I have given them our requirements and we have been assured that they will be addressed.

“Over the succeeding weeks there shall be, implemented by the relevant national government agencies and instrumentalities, a response and countermeasure package that is proportionate, deliberate and reasonable in the face of the open, unabating and illegal, coercive, aggressive and dangerous attacks by agents of the China Coast Guard and the Chinese Maritime Militia.

“We seek no conflict with any nation, more so nations that purport and claim to be our friends, but we will not be cowed into silence, submission or subservience.

“Filipinos do not yield.”

While we will continue to do whatever we can to find ways and means to peacefully resolve the situation in the West Philippine Sea, the latest incident involving a civilian charter boat on a mission to deliver food and other provisions for troops stationed at the BRP Sierra Madre in Ayungin Shoal that was hit by CCG water cannons – resulting in heavy damage to the boat and injuries to three navy personnel aboard the