Manila – President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. of the Philippines emphasized on Sunday that the country will not relinquish any territory in the ongoing territorial dispute in the West Philippine Sea (WPS). The declaration came during the Daniel Inouye Speaker Series at the Asia-Pacific Center for Security Studies in Honolulu, Hawaii.
According to Philippines News Agency, the Philippines remains steadfast in its commitment to international law and alliances. "As I have said before, and I will say again, the Philippines will not give up a single square inch of our territory to any foreign power. The law is clear as defined by UNCLOS (United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea) and the final and binding 2016 Award on the South China Sea Arbitration," he stated. The President underscored the importance of adhering to the rules-based international order and strengthening partnerships to uphold the country's sovereignty and integrity.
In his address, President Marcos appreciated the support of the United States and other partners in backing the Philippines' stance. He emphasized the role of factual messaging in support of lawful exercise of rights under international law, highlighting the strength of these alliances. Additionally, he pointed out the necessity of enhancing the Philippines' defense and civilian law enforcement capabilities. This, he said, is vital not only for self-defense but also for becoming a dependable partner in regional security.
The President expressed optimism about the Philippines' growing defense cooperation with the United States. Recent discussions with American counterparts, including US legislators, have focused on elevating the partnership between the two nations. Over the past week, teams from both countries have been developing a bilateral planning and tracking mechanism. This initiative aims to expedite investments and activities for capability development and achieve shared defense and security objectives over the next five years.
During his visit to Hawaii, President Marcos is scheduled to participate in various events, including a barge tour and a wreath-laying ceremony. He will also attend a roundtable meeting at the US Indo-Pacific Command. The President, who is on an official visit to Hawaii, will depart for Manila with his delegation later in the day.