Marcos: PH weak vs China navally but defends WPS

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. acknowledged on Thursday that the Philippines lacks the naval capability to expel China's largest coast guard vessel from its waters.

Despite this disadvantage, Marcos emphasized that Philippine forces will continue to defend their sovereign rights in the West Philippine Sea, even without advanced military assets like aircraft carriers.

The Chinese Coast Guard vessel 5901 has been patrolling the waters off Zambales since January 4, prompting daily challenges by the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG).

Over the weekend, the PCG reported that CCG-5901 was approximately 117 nautical miles from the Zambales coastline, and the BRP Teresa Magbanua had pushed it further away.

Marcos noted that while China claims its activities are lawful peacekeeping patrols, the Philippines will continue to deploy ships and challenge any intrusions, warning them they are sailing within Philippine waters.