MANILA, Philippines — Threats to the country’s sovereign rights over the West Philippine Sea that endanger the lives of Filipinos are “unacceptable,” President Marcos said yesterday, as he ordered a review of the capabilities of the country’s military hardware and equipment.
In his speech during the commemoration of Araw ng Kagitingan in Pilar, Bataan, Marcos said 82 years after the Fall of Bataan, the nation is confronted with new challenges “in varying forms and degrees, but with the same existential impact.”
“Some portend clear and present threats to our sovereign rights, and in fact have already caused physical harm to our people,” the President said.
“These (actions) are unacceptable, uncalled for and unjust,” Marcos said in Filipino.
Marcos was apparently referring to China’s aggressive actions in the West Philippine Sea that recently injured some Navy personnel and deprived Filipino fishermen of livelihood.
He assured Filipino soldiers of the government’s unwavering support as they continue the duty of safeguarding the nation’s security and sovereignty in the face of “new and growing challenges.”
“And in recognition of their bravery and sacrifices, I am directing the defense, budget and finance departments to study the existing separation benefits of soldiers who incurred total permanent disability in the line of duty to see if these are commensurate to the sacrifices they have made,” he said.
“We are doubling our efforts to enhance their operational capability. We must therefore also ensure their safety by procuring the right equipment. I therefore task the DND and AFP to assess and submit a report on the responsiveness of the current inventory of military supplies and equipment,” the commander-in-chief said.
As of March, there were 60,180 surviving Filipino veterans, categorized as either WWII veterans or post-WWII veterans.
Last year, a total of P10.198 billion was disbursed to 145,050 pensioners.
‘Free and open Indo-Pacific’
In their separate speeches at the Mt. Samat National Shrine, Japanese Ambassador Endo Kazuya and US embassy Chargé d’affaires Robert Ewing stressed the importance of a free and open Indo-Pacific even as they looked forward to the first trilateral summit between Marcos, US President Joe Biden and Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida in Washington DC this week.
Kazuya said Japan places a pivotal importance on upholding the right to freedom of navigation and overflight and respect for maritime rights under international law.
“Guided by the vision of a free and open Indo-Pacific, Japan strives to actualize concrete projects that bolster the maritime domain awareness and maritime law enforcement capabilities of the Philippines,” he said.
“Our trilateral cooperation with the Philippines and the US serves as a symbol of our shared commitment to promote a free and open international order based on the rule of law,” Kazuya said.
Ewing said the three leaders would advance the partnership based on deep historical ties, robust economic relationships, a resolute commitment to shared democratic values and a shared vision for a free and open Indo-Pacific.
“We stand united with the Philippines as friends, partners and allies,” he said.
The Philippines, US, Japan and Australia conducted joint military drills in Philippine waters over the weekend.
The President on Monday said he hopes the Multilateral Maritime Cooperative Activity between naval forces of the four countries on Sunday would help lessen the tension in the West Philippine Sea.
Marcos is scheduled to fly to Washington on Wednesday afternoon.
‘Chinese encroachers’
Filipinos must stand united in defending the nation against encroachers and in improving the lives of the poor, Speaker Martin Romualdez urged yesterday.
“Today, as we pay homage to their courage, we must also heed the invaluable lessons they impart. Defending Philippine sovereignty and territory is not merely a historical obligation; it is an ongoing responsibility that demands our unwavering commitment and vigilance,” he said.
Romualdez said Araw ng Kagitingan is an opportunity for all Filipinos to “reflect on the courage and bravery of our forebears who defended our freedom during the darkest chapters of our history.”
As the world faces geopolitical complexities and territorial disputes, Romualdez said “it is crucial that we stand firm in protecting our nation’s borders and asserting our legitimate claims in accordance with international law.”
“We must affirm our sovereignty over our land, seas and airspace, resolutely rejecting any encroachment or infringement upon our territorial integrity,” he stressed.
At the same time, the Speaker reminded Filipinos Araw ng Kagitingan is not only about committing to the defense of Philippine sovereignty and territory but also acknowledging the ongoing battle for freedom from poverty and inequality.
“Just as our heroes fought for our nation’s physical borders, we must also strive to break the chains of poverty and uplift the less fortunate among us,” he said.
“Our commitment to freedom extends beyond territorial boundaries; it encompasses the liberation of our people from the shackles of poverty, hunger and deprivation. We must stand united in the fight against poverty, extending a helping hand to the less fortunate and empowering them to build better lives for themselves and their families,” he said.
Romualdez said Filipinos should “unite as a nation, firm in our commitment to creating a future where every Filipino can live with dignity, opportunity and hope.”
Protest
China should immediately pull out its ships stationed inside the country’s territorial waters in the WPS, activists said yesterday during a protest in front of the Chinese consulate in Makati City.
Around 200 members of Bagong Alyansang Makabayan and other allied organizations held a multi-sectoral rally that condemned Beijing’s continued harassment of Filipino fishermen and rotation and resupply missions for troops stationed at BRP Sierra Madre at Ayungin Shoal.
Bayan secretary general Raymond Palatino said China’s bullying behavior and aggression against neighbors is the reason for its increasing isolation.
“It (China) claims to maintain friendly relations but its provocative actions betray its real intent of dominating the whole of South China Sea, even if it contravenes international rules and undermines the territorial integrity of its neighboring countries,” he said.
“We call on China to move out of the West Philippine Sea, dismantle its illegal structures, recognize the 2016 arbitral ruling and to stop harassing Filipino fisherfolk and Philippine supply missions,” Bayan said.
Members of other groups such as the Pambansang Lakas ng Kilusang Mamamalakaya ng Pilipinas, National Federation of Peasant Women and Pilipinong Nagkakaisa Para sa Soberanya joined the rally.
Riders from the civil society group Rebolusyonaryong Alyansang Makabansa (RAM) also protested yesterday China’s aggression in the West Philippine Sea.
The riders displayed Philippine flags on their motorcycles during their protest on wheels until they reached the Chinese consulate in Makati City with a noise barrage.
In a manifesto addressed to Chinese Ambassador Huang Xilian, RAM said the Filipino people will never allow anyone to trample on their rights and Philippine territories.
“Please spare our own occupied territories in the West Philippine Sea albeit the present disputes ongoing with your country and other countries in the world,” RAM said.
“The Filipino people and our entire nation is solidly behind our President, Department of National Defense, National Security Council, Armed Forces of the Philippines, Philippine Coast Guard and all our other government agencies in protecting and defending the territorial integrity of our legal territories in the West Philippine Sea,” the group added. — Delon Porcalla, Emmanuel Tupas, Pia Lee-Brago, Daphne Galvez