Metro Manila, Philippines — The Philippines has made clear it will not give up any of its territory despite having a relatively small force compared to “others we encounter in the West Philippine Sea (WPS),” President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. said in a speech before members of the military on Friday.
Speaking at the Western Command of the Armed Forces of the Philippines in Palawan, Marcos saluted troops for “holding the line.
“In comparison doon sa mga ibang nakakatagpo natin doon sa WPS ay kahit na maliit lang ang naihaharap natin na puwersa ay maganda naman ang nagiging resulta,” the commander-in-chief said.
“Dahil kahit papaano ay nagagawa natin na nagiging maliwanag, hindi lamang sa Pilipinas, kung hindi sa buong mundo na tayo ay di tayo papayag na kukunin sa atin ang teritoryo ng Pilipinas. So keep up the good work,” he added.
[Translation: Despite having a small force compared to those we encounter in the WPS, the results have been good…Because somehow we are making it clear, not only in the Philippines, but in the whole world that we will not allow our territory to be taken from us.]
His remarks came right after China released its new official “standard” map that extended its already expansive claims in the South China Sea.
Marcos said global support is “a very big help” to Manila, as it continues to defend its sovereign rights in the maritime dispute.
