'We will not yield'

(UPDATE) PRESIDENT Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on Thursday sought the support of Australia and other allies in its maritime disputes with China, saying the Philippines is on the frontline against actions that undermine peace and stability in the region. However, he vowed that the country will not yield.

In his address before the Australian Parliament in Canberra, Marcos said he would not allow any foreign power to take «even one square inch» of the country's territory, and that the Philippines remained firm in defending its sovereignty.

«As in 1942, the Philippines now finds itself on the frontline against actions that undermine regional peace, erode regional stability, and threaten regional success. Then as now, we remain firm in defending our sovereignty, our sovereign rights, our jurisdiction,» Marcos said.

«I shall never tire of repeating the declaration that I made from the first day that I took office: I will not allow any attempt by any foreign power to take even one square inch of our sovereign territory. The challenges that we face may be formidable, but equally formidable is our resolve. We will not yield,» he added.

The President earlier described as «worrisome» recent developments in the West Philippine Sea, including the presence of Chinese Navy ships and the jamming of electronic communications of Philippine vessels.

The Philippine leader emphasized that peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific region has come «under threat.»

«Today, we add a further dimension to that relationship as we address concerns on our security and defense. We are called upon once again to join forces, together with our partners, in the face of threats to the rule of law, to stability, and to peace,» Marcos said.

«Once again, we must come as partners to face the common challenges confronting the region. Not one single country can do this by itself. No single force can counter them by themselves,» he added.

The President said the protection of the South China Sea as a vital, critical, global artery is crucial to the preservation of regional peace and global peace.

«Then as now, the security and continued prosperity of the region — of countries like Australia — relies upon that effort.