PRESIDENT Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. reaffirmed that the Philippines will continue to defend its sovereignty and protect Filipino fishermen amid repeated incidents of harassment in the West Philippine Sea.
In the second episode of the BBM Podcast aired Saturday, June 21, 2025, Marcos emphasized that while the country does not provoke conflict, it will not back down when its rights and territory are challenged.
“Hindi naman tayo nakikipag-away. Pero huwag niyong binabangga ‘yung mga mangingisda, hindi ba? Huwag niyo kaming hinaharang dun sa teritoryo namin. Iyon ipaglalaban talaga namin ‘yan,” the President said.
(We are not looking for a fight. But don’t harass our fishermen, right? Don’t block us in our own territory. We will really stand up for that.)
“Because kung ibigay mo ‘yan, like they say: ‘You give them an inch, they will take a mile.’ So you cannot allow it—even the one inch,” he added.
The President said that history will show his administration has taken steps to defend Philippine territory in the West Philippine Sea.
“We did not yield. We continue to protect the sovereignty of the Republic. We continue to defend the territory of the Republic. And we continue to protect and defend the people of the Republic,” Marcos said.
His remarks came following new reports of harassment by Chinese vessels.
The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) confirmed that on Friday, China Coast Guard ships used water cannons against vessels of the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) near Panatag Shoal, also known as Bajo de Masinloc or Scarborough Shoal, which lies within the country’s exclusive economic zone (EEZ).
CCG ships shadowed and nearly collided with Philippine fisheries vessels BRP Datu Daya and BRP Datu Bangkaya near Bajo de Masinloc, while CCG-4106 repeatedly issued radio warnings, claiming the area as Chinese territory.
That same day, CCG-4203 and CCG-3105 used water cannons against BRP Datu Taradapit and BRP Datu Tamblot, which were also part of the mission within the Philippine EEZ and continental shelf.
PCG spokesperson Commodore Jay Tarriela said the BFAR vessels avoided serious damage and continued their mission of delivering support and subsidies to Filipino fishermen operating in the area. (Joshua Solano/SunStar Philippines)