PH to maintain presence in West PH Sea despite Chinese aggression—PBBM

President Marcos said the Philippines would not leave the West Philippine Sea and would continue to defend its territory despite China’s aggression and the glaring difference in both countries’ military capabilities.

Marcos said this following reports of a Chinese monster ship staying in the West Philippine Sea for over a month.

In a press conference in Malacañan on Thursday, Feb. 6, the President said the Philippines will continue defending its territory despite not having the means to drive China away.

“We don’t have the means na paalisin. Mabuti kung meron tayong aircraft carrier na may kasamang destroyer, frigate, tsaka submarine. Papupuntahin natin doon para matulak sila palayo, wala naman tayong ganoon (It’s different if we have an aircraft carrier, destroyers, frigates, and submarines. We will send them there to push the Chinese out but we don’t have those),” he said.

“Kung sa palakihan at paramihan lang ng barko, malayo tayo sa China. Pero ang policy naman natin (If we’re talking about having bigger and more ships, we’re far behind China. But our policy) is we will just continue to defend our sovereign territory and our territorial rights in the EEZ (exclusive economic zone),” he added.

According to Marcos, the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) and the Philippine Navy would continue protecting the country’s territorial integrity no matter what happens.

“No matter what any other foreign power does, that is what we will do. When we detect the presence of a foreign vessel beginning to intrude or coming close already to our coastal waters, papupuntahan natin ng barko (we will send a ship). We will challenge them and we will make sure that they know that what they are doing is illegal,” he said.

“Of course, they will counter, saying they are doing regular law enforcement patrols. But they will always find the Philippine presence no matter what they do,” he added.

“Kahit na banggain niya yung barko natin, kahit na mag-water cannon sila, mag-laser sila, kahit kung ano pang gawin nila, mag-block sila, laging nandiyan ang Pilipinas (Even if they ram our ships, launch water cannons, fire their lasers, block us, no matter what, we’re there),” he continued..

President Marcos said the PCG and the Navy would not cease patrolling the area to protect Filipino fishermen in the West Philippine Sea.

“Kung minsan napapaalis nga nila kahit yung malalaking barko (I f they can drive the big ships away), then better. Then they will have achieved what they are supposed to do while they are patrolling our waters,” he said.

“We will always be there protecting our territory. We will always be there making sure our fishermen are able to exercise their sovereign rights. Nandiyan lagi (We’ll always be there). That’s their mission,” he added.