Manila [Philippines], amid growing aggression from China, Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr has said the nation will not be intimidated by Beijing's expansionist acts, Al Jazeera reported.
His remarks came at the headquarters of the Philippine Forces in the South China Sea on the island of Palawan.
According to the Philippine president, "in defending the nation, we remain true to our Filipino nature and would like to resolve all these issues peacefully."
During the visit to the headquarters, Marcos presented medals to 80 sailors who participated in the replenishment mission, and urged the sailors to continue defending their nation even though the situation is "dangerous."
Citing Marcos, Al Jazeera reported that the Philippines will continue to exercise its freedom.
"We will never be intimidated or oppressed by anyone. We will continue to exercise our freedoms and rights in support of our national interest, in accordance with international law," Marcos said.
The statement came in response to the recent incident of a violent clash between Chinese and Filipino sailors near the Second Thomas Shoal, about 200 kilometers from the island of Palawan.
During that incident, Chinese forces injured Philippine navy personnel and damaged at least two military ships in the South China Sea.
Additionally, Filipino sailors also accused the Chinese coast guard of stealing and damaging their equipment, the Al Jazeera report stated.
Earlier, the Philippine News Agency (PNA) had reported that the Armed Forces of the Philippines had rejected China's allegation that a Philippine ship illegally entered its waters and collided with one of its coast guard vessels, calling it "misleading and misleading." for the coast of China". Guard.
In a message to reporters, Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) public affairs office chief Col. Shoal, which is within our EEZ." (exclusive economic zone)." Trinidad added: "We will not dignify the misleading and deceptive claims of the China Coast Guard (CCG)," PNA reported.
The AFP official highlighted that the presence and actions of Chinese ships within the exclusive economic zone (EEZ) of the Philippines that violate the sovereignty and sovereign rights of Manila remain the main problem.
Trinidad said continued aggressive actions by the Chinese Coast Guard increased tensions in the region, according to PNA.
The statement by the Armed Forces of the Philippines came after the Chinese Coast Guard (CCG) claimed that a Philippine replenishment ship illegally entered waters near Ren'ai Reef (Chinese name for Ayungin Shoal) on Monday week past, forcing them to take appropriate measures. .
In particular, Ayungin Shoal is a submerged reef in the Spratlys Islands in the South China Sea (SCS). The BRP Sierra Madre, considered an outpost of the Philippine Navy, has been stranded in Ayungin since 1999.
His remarks came at the headquarters of the Philippine Forces in the South China Sea on the island of Palawan.
According to the Philippine president, "in defending the nation, we remain true to our Filipino nature and would like to resolve all these issues peacefully."
During the visit to the headquarters, Marcos presented medals to 80 sailors who participated in the replenishment mission, and urged the sailors to continue defending their nation even though the situation is "dangerous."
Citing Marcos, Al Jazeera reported that the Philippines will continue to exercise its freedom.
"We will never be intimidated or oppressed by anyone. We will continue to exercise our freedoms and rights in support of our national interest, in accordance with international law," Marcos said.
The statement came in response to the recent incident of a violent clash between Chinese and Filipino sailors near the Second Thomas Shoal, about 200 kilometers from the island of Palawan.
During that incident, Chinese forces injured Philippine navy personnel and damaged at least two military ships in the South China Sea.
Additionally, Filipino sailors also accused the Chinese coast guard of stealing and damaging their equipment, the Al Jazeera report stated.
Earlier, the Philippine News Agency (PNA) had reported that the Armed Forces of the Philippines had rejected China's allegation that a Philippine ship illegally entered its waters and collided with one of its coast guard vessels, calling it "misleading and misleading." for the coast of China". Guard.
In a message to reporters, Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) public affairs office chief Col. Shoal, which is within our EEZ." (exclusive economic zone)." Trinidad added: "We will not dignify the misleading and deceptive claims of the China Coast Guard (CCG)," PNA reported.
The AFP official highlighted that the presence and actions of Chinese ships within the exclusive economic zone (EEZ) of the Philippines that violate the sovereignty and sovereign rights of Manila remain the main problem.
Trinidad said continued aggressive actions by the Chinese Coast Guard increased tensions in the region, according to PNA.
The statement by the Armed Forces of the Philippines came after the Chinese Coast Guard (CCG) claimed that a Philippine replenishment ship illegally entered waters near Ren'ai Reef (Chinese name for Ayungin Shoal) on Monday week past, forcing them to take appropriate measures. .
In particular, Ayungin Shoal is a submerged reef in the Spratlys Islands in the South China Sea (SCS). The BRP Sierra Madre, considered an outpost of the Philippine Navy, has been stranded in Ayungin since 1999.
