South China Sea: Philippines urges military to focus on disputed waters

Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has urged the country’s military to focus on protecting the Philippines’ territorial integrity following flared tensions with China over the disputed South China Sea. The dispute also comes amidst the increasingly strained relations between China and the United States.

In a speech to the Philippine Armed Forces on Monday, Marcos Jr. told the military to prioritize the country’s territorial integrity as the dispute with China has grown. This follows Marcos Jr.’s summoning of the Chinese ambassador to protest against an incident in which the Chinese coastguard used a military-grade laser to blind crew members of the Philippine patrol vessel in the South China Sea.

“I’m saying that your mission in the AFP has changed,” Marcos Jr. told the troops. “For many, many years, we were able to maintain that peace and maintain that understanding with all of our neighbors. Now things have begun to change and we must adjust accordingly.”

Marcos Jr. went on to say that the Philippines’ boundaries are being challenged, “and there are many things happening, so the air force has a very big mission to fully secure the Philippines.” The Philippine leader also cited the increased competition between world powers.

While Marcos Jr. did not mention China by name during his remarks, Marcos Jr. stressed that the Philippines’ foreign policy remains committed to peace. Despite being a relatively small nation, “we still have to fight for the rights of every Filipino because the Philippines is a sovereign nation.”

During the time of the summoning of the Chinese ambassador to Manila in February, Marcos Jr. reiterated that the Philippines would never “lose an inch” of its territory. China claims the majority of the South China Sea, angering the surrounding nations that have overlapping claims to the body of water. A 2016 tribunal ruled against Beijing, saying its so-called historical claims under the nine-dash line have no basis in international law.

China has ignored the ruling and continues to assert its control over the waters.

“This country will not lose an inch of its territory,” said Marcos Jr. in a speech. “We will continue to uphold our territorial integrity and sovereignty in accordance with our constitution and with international law. We will work with our neighbors to secure the safety and security of our peoples.”