PBBM: PH will not yield to foreign aggression, vows to defend arbitral ruling

President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. on Monday declared that the Philippines will never yield to foreign aggression or intimidation, reaffirming his administration’s commitment to defend the country’s sovereign rights in the West Philippine Sea through peaceful and legal means.

In his State of the Nation Address (SONA), Marcos underscored the nation’s resolve amid continuing maritime tensions, saying Filipinos would stand united against any attempt to undermine the country’s dignity and internationally recognized rights.

“Our unity and collective consciousness are challenged now greater than ever before. A common threat lies before us, directed against our dignity and self-respect,” the President said.

Without naming China, Marcos rejected what he described as efforts to malign the Filipino people.

“Let me remind our friends and our detractors: Filipinos are a noble, kind, gracious, and great race. We are not greedy. We are not racists. We are not liars.”

“We are respectful, and we are dignified. We are Filipinos, and we do not yield.”

Marcos also reaffirmed the Philippines’ commitment to the landmark 2016 Arbitral Award, which invalidated China’s sweeping claims in the South China Sea and upheld the Philippines’ maritime entitlements under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS).

“Just recently, we celebrated the tenth anniversary of the final and binding 2016 Arbitral Award, which stands as a definitive benchmark for the interpretation and application of the UNCLOS.”

“This is not a claim that we advance alone, nor is it one that we will abandon.”

The President vowed that his administration would continue defending the ruling through diplomacy and international law.

“Your government will do all that is necessary to continue upholding this Award, utilizing every peaceful and legal means available to the Republic against any attempt, foreign or domestic, to undermine this achievement.”

Marcos also paid tribute to the Armed Forces of the Philippines, the Philippine Coast Guard, and Filipino fisherfolk, who continue to assert the country’s presence in its waters despite growing risks.

“We give honor to our Armed Forces, the Coast Guard, and even our fisherfolk, who all continue to patrol and ply our seas in the face of great risks.”

“To them we owe collective gratitude and appreciation for it is they who give life to the letter and spirit of the Arbitral Award.”

Calling for national unity, Marcos urged Filipinos to stand together in the face of external and internal threats.

“Mga kapwa kong Pilipino, sa ganitong mga banta sa ating seguridad, sa loob at sa labas ng bansa, tayo’y tumindig nang taas-noo at magkapit-bisig.”

He ended his remarks with a message of defiance rooted in the country’s history.

“Sa mga pang-aalipusta, hindi tayo matitinag. Sa manlulupig, hindi tayo pasisiil.”

The President said his administration would spend its remaining two years fulfilling its commitments to the Filipino people while continuing to safeguard the nation’s sovereignty and dignity.