MANILA – President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. has pledged to continue protecting Philippine territory, saying he would not allow any foreign power to seize “even an inch” of the country’s domain.
In the latest episode of his podcast aired on Saturday, Marcos reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to assert the country’s sovereign rights over the West Philippine Sea (WPS).
“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,” he said.
“Ipaglalaban talaga namin iyan because kung ibigay mo iyan (We will fight for that because if you give that) like they say, you give them an inch, they take a mile. So, you cannot allow it even the one inch.”
Marcos stressed that while he does not want trouble with any foreign encroachers, he would not allow them to harass his fellow Filipinos, particularly the fisher folk.
“Hindi naman tayo nakikipag-away pero huwag niyong binabangga ‘yung mga mangingisda, ‘di ba? Huwag niyo kaming hinaharang sa teritoryo namin (We're not fighting but don't be hostile to the fisher folk. Don't block us in our territory),” he said.
To protect the country’s marine resources, Marcos on Nov. 8, 2024 signed Republic Act (RA) 12064, the Philippine Maritime Zones Act, and RA 12065, the Philippine Archipelagic Sea Lanes Act.
RA 12064 delineates the maritime zones under the jurisdiction of the Philippines, including internal waters, archipelagic waters, territorial sea, contiguous zone, exclusive economic zone (EEZ), and continental shelf, to establish legal bases for the conduct of social, economic, commercial, and other activities in the areas.
On the other hand, RA 12065 designates the sea lanes and air routes suitable for the continuous and expeditious passage of foreign ships and aircraft through or over its archipelagic water and the adjacent territorial sea, to prevent arbitrary international passage in the Philippine archipelago. (PNA)