NMC cites Marcos for ‘principled stand’ vs China BDM nature reserve

For repeatedly lamenting the establishment of a nature reserve in Bajo de Masinloc on the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) level, President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. was able to take a "principled stand" and encouraged support towards the issue.

- By BETHEENA UNITE

National Maritime Council (NMC) spokesperson Alexander Lopez said this, stressing that the President raising the issue before ASEAN member states and partners, including US and China, carries diplomatic, strategic, and domestic implications.

"At mayroon ding diplomatic signaling sa ating mga (And there is also a diplomatic signaling to our) treaty allies and partners," Lopez said in an interview with Bagong Pilipinas Ngayon.

"The President sent a strong message with our dialogue partners like the US, Japan, Australia, that the Philippines is taking a principled stand for rules-based order and encouraging greater alignment and support towards our cause," Lopez added.

Marcos, during his participation in the 47th ASEAN Summit in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, which ended on Oct. 28, spoke up about the continuous aggressions in the South China Sea, endangering fishermen and Filipino personnel, and condemned the establishment of China's national nature reserve in Bajo de Masinloc, which is located 124 nautical miles west of Zambales.