Marcos: PH will resist China if sovereign rights are disregarded

President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. stated that the Philippines will resist China if its sovereign rights in the West Philippine Sea are disregarded, emphasizing this is his duty as president.

He asserted that defending the republic and its territory is a primordial duty for any leader, aligning with the first article of the 1987 Constitution.

Marcos reiterated the Philippines' independent foreign policy, which involves cooperation on aligned interests, respectful disagreement on differing views, and pushing back when principles like sovereignty are questioned.

He highlighted the Philippines' interest in upholding the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) and lamented that despite international law, provocative and illegal actions continue to violate the country's sovereignty in the region.

The President asserted that this pattern of aggression hinders ASEAN's vision for the South China Sea as a region of peace, stability, and prosperity.

Marcos reiterated the Philippines' commitment to peace and the peaceful settlement of disputes through dialogue and diplomacy, despite facing significant challenges.