MANILA, Philippine: Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. emphasized that the Philippines is committed to peaceful resolutions and is not interested in instigating wars, amid rising maritime confrontations with China.
Speaking to troops of the Western Command unit, which oversees the South China Sea, Marcos stated, “In defending the nation, we stay true to our Filipino nature that we would like to settle all issues peacefully.”
The latest clash between Philippine navy personnel and the Chinese coast guard in the disputed waters resulted in a severely injured Filipino sailor and damaged vessels. Despite these confrontations, Marcos stressed that the Philippines will not use force or intimidation, nor deliberately inflict harm on others.
While Marcos did not mention China explicitly, the U.S., Britain, and Canada condemned Beijing’s actions during a routine Philippine resupply mission. China’s foreign ministry, however, defended its measures as lawful and professional.
China’s extensive claims over the South China Sea, a crucial trade route, have been contested by several nations, including the Philippines. In 2016, the Permanent Court of Arbitration in The Hague ruled that China’s claims had no legal basis, a decision Beijing has dismissed.
