Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. (File photo by Ezra Acayan/Pool via REUTERS)
MANILA, Philippines — “Filipinos do not yield,” pronounced President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on Maundy Thursday, as he vowed a proportionate counter measure against the Chinese Coast Guard (CCG) and the Chinese Maritime Militia.
A recent water cannon attack from the CCG in the West Philippine Sea left three Filipino sailors injured.
READ: No letup in Chinese water cannon attacks
“Over the succeeding weeks there shall be, implemented by the relevant national government agencies and instrumentalities, a response and counter measure package that is proportionate, deliberate, and reasonable in the face of the open, unabating and illegal, coercive, aggressive, and dangerous attacks by agents of the China Coast Guard and the Chinese Maritime Militia,” said Marcos.
“We seek no conflict with any nation, more so nations that purport and claim to be our friends, but we will not be cowed into silence, submission or subservience. Filipinos do not yield,” said Marcos.
The Commander in Chief has spoken with the country’s security and defense officials, who have submitted their recommendations.
International allies have also been consulted on the matter, he added.
“They have offered help to us on what the Philippines requires to protect and secure our Sovereignty, sovereign rights and jurisdiction, while ensuring peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific,” revealed Marcos.
While the President has not specified who these allies were, he met with several international leaders in March alone.
Marcos talked with US Secretary of State Anthony Blinken, who reaffirmed the US’ ironclad commitment to Philippine defense.
A US Congressional delegation also recently visited Marcos.
READ: Blinken assures PH of US ‘ironclad defense commitments’
The President also met with Indian Minister of External Affairs Subrahmanyam Jaishankar, who reiterated his country’s support for the Philippines in its territorial dispute in the West Philippine Sea.
While Marcos’ predecessor, former president Rodrigo Duterte, was considerably lax with Chinese activities in the West Philippine Sea, Marcos has made it clear that the Philippines will not give up one inch of its territory.
Chinese aggression in the West Philippine Sea has steadily increased since Marcos assumed the presidency.