Philippines to continue upholding international laws – Marcos

MANILA, Philippines — In the face of China’s latest aggressive actions in the West Philippine Sea, the Philippines will continue to uphold international laws, push for diplomatic means and deepen cooperation with allies in defending its waters, President Marcos said yesterday.

At the oath-taking of newly promoted generals and flag officers of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) at Malacañang, Marcos stressed that the country continues to face “complex” and “dynamic challenges” to its sovereignty from “lawless” elements that undermine peace and the increasing frequency of natural disasters.

“These require us to remain steadfast, resourceful, unyielding in our resolve,” he said.

“As stewards of our national defense, you bear the solemn responsibility of ensuring the security of our land, of our seas, of our skies, our cyberspace,” he added.

The President’s remarks came as a China Coast Guard (CCG) vessel again fired water cannons at a Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) ship during a routine patrol near Bajo de Masinloc early yesterday morning.

Bajo de Masinloc is within the Philippines’ exclusive economic zone (EEZ).

Marcos reiterated the country’s continued adherence to the rule of law even as he stressed the importance of diplomatic approaches in protecting its territorial sovereignty.

“In defending our waters, we must uphold international maritime laws, deepening our commitment to regional peace and cooperation. By fostering coordination among nations, we can safeguard stability while advancing our collective interests,” he said.

“Diplomacy rooted in strong legal foundations is our most effective instrument in navigating these endeavors,” he added.

The Chief Executive also urged the AFP to train troops not only with skills, but with empathy, “ensuring that their actions reflect the highest ideals of public service.”

“As our senior officers of the Armed Forces of the Philippines, I enjoin you to lead with honor, serve with integrity and inspire others with your example. Stand with your troops, stand for the Constitution and above all, stand for the Filipino people,” he said.

Last month, the AFP launched the Combined Coordination Center at Camp Aguinaldo in partnership with the United States Indo-Pacific Command.

Marcos called this “a leap forward” in the AFP’s modernization efforts by reinforcing its interoperability with allies and strengthening its defense capabilities under the Mutual Defense Board Concept Plan.

The military also concluded the eighth iteration of the AFP Joint Exercise “DAGIT-PA” or Dagat-Langit-Lupa.

“These exercises equip our forces as they address evolving security threats and operationalize the Comprehensive Archipelagic Defense Concept,” the President said.

He likewise recognized the military for performing its duties beyond military operations.

“You have been instrumental in providing humanitarian assistance and disaster response during some of our darkest hours,” Marcos said.

‘Unwarranted, blatant’

Senators yesterday condemned the CCG and the People’s Liberation Army Navy’s latest acts of harassment against three Philippine vessels during a routine patrol near Scarborough Shoal.

“Unwarranted and blatant violation of international law, these latest aggressive actions of the Chinese Coast Guard against our maritime personnel and scientists should prompt our concerned agencies to elevate the matter before an international body,” Senate President Pro Tempore Jinggoy Estrada said.

“These hostile acts against the Philippine Coast Guard and Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR)’s BRP Datu Pagbuaya performing legitimate duties within our maritime jurisdiction is an affront to our nation’s sovereignty,” Estrada added.

The senator urged the international community to join the Philippines in condemning the latest water cannon attack against BRP Datu Pagbuaya, as well as the dangerous maneuvers against BRP Teresa Magbanua and BRP Cabra.

“I call upon the international community to join us in condemning these acts of aggression and support our efforts in upholding the rule of law in the West Philippine Sea. The path to lasting peace and stability in the region lies in cooperation, not confrontation,” Estrada said.

For Sen. JV Ejercito, this brazen attack is “a blatant violation of international law and an affront to Philippine sovereignty.”

“China Coast Guard’s bullying has no place in a civilized and rules-based international order. Time and again, they have shown disregard for our rights in the West Philippine Sea, trampling on the safety and livelihoods of our fishermen and the dignity of our nation,” Ejercito said.

He vouched for the need to fast-track the AFP’s modernization program to better equip the country’s troops against China’s maritime aggression.

“Our Armed Forces must be equipped to defend our waters and assert our sovereignty without hesitation. I strongly believe that securing even a minimum credible defense posture is crucial to safeguarding our interests and ensuring these abuses do not persist,” Ejercito said.

“We will not be cowed by a bully. With our resolve, combined with reason and the principles of international law, we will prevail,” he added.

‘Unlawful’

The US likewise condemned China’s latest harassment and firing of water cannons at Philippine vessels in Bajo de Masinloc  yesterday, calling it “unlawful.”

“The PRC (People’s Republic of China)’s unlawful use of water cannons and dangerous maneuvers disrupted a Philippine maritime operation on Dec. 4, putting lives at risk,” US Ambassador MaryKay Carlson wrote on X.

“We condemn these actions and stand with our like-minded friends, partners, allies in support of a free and open Indo-Pacific,” Carlson said.

The US had warned against Beijing’s use of dangerous, coercive and escalatory tactics in the South China Sea against US allies.

‘EU will always speak up’

The European Union will always speak up against the aggressive behavior of China as the regional bloc stands fully behind the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) and the 2016 Arbitral Ruling that invalidated Beijing’s illegal, expansive and excessive claims in the South China Sea, the EU Asia-Pacific chief said yesterday.

In an interview, Niclas Kvarnström, managing director for Asia and the Pacific of the European External Action Service, disclosed that the EU-Philippines Joint Consultative Meeting held in Manila last Tuesday also discussed the South China Sea, with the two sides reaffirming their commitment to upholding international law, the UNCLOS and the 2016 Arbitral Award.

“For us, the central thing is to follow the UNCLOS and the international law, and when that is not being done or when tensions are being heightened, we will speak out,” Kvarnström said at a press briefing.

“And that has been the case. We have done that against the Chinese moves on several occasions,” he added.

The EU official said the Philippines has “invested a lot in diplomacy” for the peaceful resolution of its dispute with China.

“But at the same time, that isn’t always enough. And so when you see aggressive behavior, and in our case, since we are very clear from the European Union side that we stand fully behind on UNCLOS, fully behind the ruling in 2016,” Kvarnström told journalists. –  Pia Lee-Brago