'We will vigorously defend what is ours'

The country will “vigorously defend what is ours,” President Marcos told graduating military cadets yesterday in a thinly veiled reference to mounting tensions with China, which has become more brazen in staking claims in Philippine waters.

- ALEXIS ROMERO

“What we are facing now are a blatant disregard of internationally accepted principles and deployment of weapons of mass distraction by parties who seek to drive a wedge between a united citizenry,” Marcos said in a speech during the graduation of the Philippine Military Academy (PMA) “Bagong Sinag” class of 2024.

His remarks came on the heels of Beijing’s announcement that it has empowered its coast guard to detain for 60 days without trial anyone or any vessel found trespassing in what it considers its territorial waters. China’s territorial claim, rebuffed by the international community, covers almost the entire South China Sea, a conduit for $3 trillion in annual ship-borne trade. Beijing intends to begin enforcing its “maritime administrative law” on June 15.

On several occasions in March and April, the China coast guard – using powerful water cannons – tried to prevent Filipino vessels from delivering food and provisions to fishermen in Panatag Shoal and to a military outpost on BRP Sierra Madre in Ayungin Shoal.

Marcos said that while Filipinos are now feeling the progress and peace that the government has tirelessly worked on for years, new challenges have emerged.

“But people are not fooled. They can see through such schemes. So, these attempts to divert our attention, dissipate our energy better spent on making the country should not draw us away from the urgent tasks ahead,” he added, without mentioning China.