‘West Philippine Sea not a figment of imagination; it is ours’

MANILA, Philippines — The country will relentlessly defend its rights and interests in the West Philippines Sea for generations to come, an emotional President Marcos declared yesterday in his third State of the Nation Address, drawing the strongest applause and a standing ovation.

“In the face of challenges to our territorial sovereignty, we will assert our rights and interests in the same fair and pacific way that we have always done. Proper diplomatic channels and mechanisms under the rules-based international order remain the only acceptable means of settling disputes,” Marcos said toward the end of his speech at the Batasang Pambansa.

He stressed that the country would continue to assert its rights and interests through proper diplomatic channels and based on international laws.

He maintained that the West Philippine Sea was not a figment of imagination: “Ang West Philippine Sea ay hindi isang kathang-isip natin lamang. Ito ay atin. At ito ay mananatiling atin, hangga’t nag-aalab ang diwa ng ating mahal na bansang Pilipinas (The West Philippine Sea is not just based on our imagination. It is ours. And it will remain ours, as long as the spirit of our beloved country the Philippines burns).”

“We will strengthen and raise the awareness and knowledge of the entire country, and we will ensure that we can pass it on to our youth and our next generations,” Marcos said.

He said proposed laws on the maritime zones and archipelagic sea lanes would ensure that “this intergenerational mandate will firmly take root in the hearts and minds of our people.”

Marcos also thanked the Armed Forces, the Coast Guard and the Filipino fishermen for their “vigilance and sacrifice.”

The Chief Executive’s remarks came a day after the Department of Foreign Affairs said the Philippines and China have agreed on an “arrangement” for resupplying Filipino troops stationed on BRP Sierra Madre, a rusting Navy vessel that serves as the country’s outpost in Ayungin Shoal.

“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