PH will never waver in protecting its national territory —NMC

The National Maritime Council (NMC) stood firm in its position in the West Philippine Sea, saying that the country remains resolute against foreign intrusions and will never waver in defending its sovereignty.

The NMC issued the statement after President Ferdinand ''Bongbong'' Marcos Jr. vowed that the government would continue to defend its rights in the Philippines’ exclusive economic zone amid the threat of China Coast Guard’s “monster ship.”

“We stand resolute against any foreign intrusion into our maritime zones and will never cease upholding our rights and honoring our duties under international law, particularly the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) and the 2016 Arbitral Award,” the NMC said.

“The Philippines, while committed to the peaceful settlement of disputes and proper diplomatic approaches, will never waver in protecting its national territory and maritime domain,” it added.

Marcos on Thursday admitted that the Philippines has no means of expelling China’s monster ship from the country's territorial waters, noting that the Philippines lags behind China in fleet size and strength.

Despite this, the President stressed that the Philippines’ policy is to just continue defending its sovereign territory and territorial rights in the EEZ.

The Philippine Coast Guard said on Friday that the CCG-5901, otherwise known as the “monster ship,” returned to the waters near Bajo de Masinloc.

Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Guo Jiakun reiterated Beijing’s claims over the South China Sea, arguing they were historically and legally justified.

"The CCG conducts patrols and law enforcement activities in relevant waters in accordance with the law, which is fully justified," Guo said, urging the Philippines to cease its alleged provocations.

The Philippine government sued China before an international arbitral tribunal in The Hague in 2013. The Permanent Court of Arbitration ruled in favor of the Philippines in July 2016 when it junked China's nine-dash claim over the South China Sea.

China, however, rejected the Philippines’ call to comply with the 2016 arbitration ruling, calling the decision "illegal and invalid.” —Giselle Ombay/KG, GMA Integrated News