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Philippines Firm on Protecting Its Territory, Says NMC
The National Maritime Council (NMC) reaffirmed its firm stance in the West Philippine Sea, vowing to defend the country’s sovereignty against foreign intrusions. This statement followed President Marcos Jr.'s commitment to upholding the Philippines’ rights within its exclusive economic zone (EEZ), despite acknowledging the country's weaker naval capacity compared to China. The Philippine Coast Guard reported the return of China’s "monster ship" near Bajo de Masinloc, while China's Foreign Ministry maintained its territorial claims. The Philippines previously won a 2016 arbitral ruling rejecting China's nine-dash line, but Beijing continues to dismiss the decision as "illegal and invalid."
The National Maritime Council (NMC) maintained its strong stance on the West Philippine Sea, emphasizing the nation's unwavering commitment to safeguarding its sovereignty and opposing any foreign incursions.
The NMC released this statement following President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr.'s assurance that the government remains steadfast in defending the country's rights within its exclusive economic zone, despite the looming threat posed by the China Coast Guard’s so-called "monster ship."
Marcos acknowledged on Thursday that the Philippines lacks the capability to remove China's massive vessel from its territorial waters, admitting that the country's naval resources are significantly weaker compared to China's.
Nevertheless, the President reaffirmed that the Philippines' approach is to persist in protecting its sovereign rights and territorial integrity within the EEZ.
On Friday, the Philippine Coast Guard confirmed that the CCG-5901, commonly referred to as the "monster ship," had returned to the waters near Bajo de Masinloc.
Meanwhile, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Guo Jiakun reiterated Beijing's assertions over the South China Sea, insisting that their claims are grounded in both historical and legal justifications.
The Philippine government took legal action against China in 2013, bringing the dispute before an international arbitral tribunal in The Hague. In July 2016, the Permanent Court of Arbitration ruled in favor of the Philippines, invalidating China's nine-dash line claim over the South China Sea.
However, China dismissed the Philippines' demand for compliance with the 2016 ruling, declaring the decision to be "illegal and invalid."
Source: https://www.gmanetwork.com/news/topstories/nation/935686/ph-will-never-waver-in-protecting-its-national-territory-nmc/story/
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