Marcos: PH will push back vs China if maritime interests disregarded

President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. stated that the Philippines will push back against China if its maritime interests and sworn principles, such as sovereignty and jurisdiction in the West Philippine Sea, are disregarded.

He affirmed the Philippines' pursuit of Comprehensive Strategic Cooperation with China, founded on mutual respect and benefit, but stressed the nation's independent foreign policy allows for cooperation where interests align, respectful disagreement, and pushing back when principles are questioned.

Relations between the Philippines and China have been strained, marked by confrontations over disputed territories in the South China Sea, with China reportedly ignoring the 1982 UN Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) and the 2016 South China Sea Arbitration Award.

Manila has concurrently strengthened its defense alliances with the United States, its long-standing military partner.

The Philippine Embassy in Washington refuted claims made by the Chinese Embassy concerning Philippine Ambassador to the United States Jose Manuel Romualdez, asserting that Romualdez does not represent another nation's interests nor disseminates false threats.

The National Security Council (NSC) also confirmed that China did not obtain the necessary permits for conducting research at Philippine Rise.