President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on Monday reaffirmed the Philippines' commitment to defending its sovereign rights in the West Philippine Sea, declaring that his administration will continue to uphold the landmark 2016 Arbitral Award through peaceful and legal means despite China's continued aggression.
In his fifth State of the Nation Address (SONA) at the Batasang Pambansa, Marcos said the country would not back down from protecting its maritime interests and urged Filipinos to remain united in the face of threats to the nation's sovereignty and dignity.
"Our unity and collective consciousness are challenged now greater than ever before. A common threat lies before us directed against our dignity and self-respect. Of late, our very humanity has been called into question," Marcos said.
The President appeared to allude to the recent racist video released by Chinese state-run publication China Daily, which depicted Filipinos as monkeys while criticizing the 2016 Arbitral Award.
"Let me remind our friends and our detractors: Filipinos are a noble, kind, gracious, and great race. We are not greedy, we are not racists, we are not liars," Marcos said.
"We are respectful and we are dignified. We are Filipinos, and we do not yield."
Marcos also reaffirmed the government's unwavering support for the July 12, 2016 ruling of the Permanent Court of Arbitration, which invalidated China's sweeping claims in the South China Sea under its so-called "nine-dash line."
"Just recently, we celebrated the 10th anniversary of the final and binding 2016 Arbitral Award, which stands as a definitive benchmark for the interpretation and application of the UNCLOS. This is not a claim that we advance alone, nor one that we will abandon," he said.
"Your government will do all that is necessary to continue upholding this Award, utilizing every peaceful and legal means available to the Republic against any attempt, foreign or domestic, to undermine this achievement."
The President also paid tribute to members of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG), and Filipino fisherfolk for continuing to safeguard the country's waters despite mounting risks.
"We give honor to our Armed Forces, the Coast Guard, even our fisherfolk, who all continue to patrol and ply our seas in the face of great risks. To them we owe collective gratitude and appreciation for… who gave life to the letter and spirit of Arbitral Award," he said.
The Philippines recently marked the 10th anniversary of its arbitral victory under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), even as tensions with China have continued to escalate.
The government has also condemned several confrontations in the West Philippine Sea, including an incident in which a Philippine Navy personnel was allegedly struck by members of the China Coast Guard, as well as consecutive water cannon attacks against Philippine Coast Guard and Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) vessels.
Closing the portion of his speech on national security, Marcos called on Filipinos to set aside their differences and unite in defending the country's sovereignty.
"Mga kapwa ko PIlipino, sa mga ganitong banta sa ating seguridad sa loob at labas ng bansa. Tayo'y tumindig nang taas-noo at magkapit-bisig," he said.
"Dahil tayo man ay magkakaiba sa maraming bagay. Iisa lang tayong lahi, tayong lahat ay Pilipino. Pilipino sa diwa, pilipino sa dugi. Manaig nawa ang pagkakaisa at pagmamahal natin sa inang bayan at kapwa Pilipino sa bagay na ito hindi tayo magkakatunggali tayo ay magkabigkis tulad ng ating pinamana sa ating buong kasaysayan," he added.
The President declared: "Sa mga pang-aalipusta, hindi tayo matitinag. Sa manlulupig, hindi tayo pasisiil."
