Marcos Jr. says PH won't surrender territory

President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. asserted that the Philippines will not surrender any part of its territory to any foreign power.

Speaking before the Asia Society in New York, Marcos affirmed his commitment to preserving every inch of the Republic of the Philippines' territory.

He stated that the Philippines will continue to engage in diplomacy and dialogue with China and other claimant states to resolve issues concerning the West Philippine Sea.

Marcos also highlighted the importance of the Philippines' alliance with the United States in maintaining peace and order in the disputed waters.

He clarified that the Philippines has no territorial conflict with China, as what China claims "belongs to the Philippines."

Marcos also said he would try every method possible to resolve the issue peacefully, stating, "I will prefer any approach that will work."

The Philippines previously scored a victory against China in a 2016 Permanent Court of Arbitration ruling, which declared Beijing's claim over nearly the entire South China Sea as illegal, but China refused to recognize this ruling.