Marcos Jr., Macron discuss WPS issues in phone call

MANILA, Philippines — President Marcos and French President Emmanuel Macron spoke by phone last Wednesday and talked about the West Philippine Sea row and the visit of a group of French ministers to the Philippines this year, Malacañang said.

A Palace statement yesterday quoted Marcos as telling Macron of Philippine efforts “to maintain the peace, to maintain the stability, keep the shipping lanes open and airways open” in the West Philippine Sea. It was Macron who initiated the call, according to the Palace.

“But may I thank France for all the support that you have given us in terms of our shared values, in terms of following the international law, especially UNCLOS (United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea) and it has been of great help the messages of support and even when you sent French vessels to come and patrol. So I have to thank you, Mr. President, and France,” Marcos said.

It was in the initial part of the two leaders’ conversation that the West Philippine Sea issue was discussed, according to Malacañang.

Their conversation came as tensions erupted anew after the Chinese installed floating barrier in the Panatag Shoal early this month to keep out Filipino fishermen.

The Philippine Coast Guard, in a “special operation,” cut the floating barrier early this week.

Known internationally as Scarborough Shoal, Panatag is within the Philippines’ 200-nautical mile exclusive economic zone. Under the UNCLOS, states have sovereign rights to explore, exploit and conserve and manage natural resources within their EEZ.

Malacañang has again made it clear the Philippines would not be giving up an inch of its territory in its territorial row with China.

“You know that this is an administration that will not lose an inch