China’s attacks make gov’t ‘further steeled’ to defend WPS – Marcos

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr speaks at the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) CEO Summit in San Francisco, California, US, on Nov. 15, 2023. (File photo by CARLOS BARRIA / Reuters)

MANILA, Philippines — President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has been in constant communication over the weekend with agencies overseeing national security and defense about the China Coast Guard and Chinese Maritime Militia’s use of water cannons on Philippine vessels.

“The aggression and provocations perpetrated by the China Coast Guard and their Chinese Maritime Militia against our vessels and personnel over the weekend have only further steeled our determination to defend and protect our nation’s sovereignty, sovereign rights, and jurisdiction in the West Philippine Sea,” Marcos said on social media platform “X” (formerly Twitter) late night on Sunday.

“I have been in constant communication with our national security and defense leadership, and have directed our uniformed services to conduct their missions with the utmost regard for the safety of our personnel, yet proceed with a mission-oriented mindset,” he added.

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The president reiterated that Ayungin Shoal is within the Philippines’ exclusive economic zone and any foreign claim of sovereignty over it is baseless and contrary to international law.

Bajo de Masinloc is also the nation’s sovereign territory and an integral part of the archipelago, he added.

“No one but the Philippines has a legitimate right or legal basis to operate anywhere in the West Philippine Sea. The illegal presence in our waters and dangerous actions against our citizens is an outright and blatant violation of international law and the rules-based international order,” Marcos said.