Speaking in a widely-anticipated annual speech before the Philippine legislature on July 22, Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. reasserted that Manila will not yield nor waver in pushing its claims in the West Philippine Sea (WPS), the official designation by the government to the parts of the South China Sea that are included in the country’s exclusive economic zone.

“The Philippines cannot yield. The Philippines cannot waver,” Marcos said in this third State of the Nation address to the 24 senators and 313 congressmen of the 19th Congress of the Philippines and the entire country.

“The West Philippine Sea is not a figment of our imagination. It is ours. And it will remain ours as long as the spirit of our beloved Philippines continues to burn bright,” the President said, rousing the country’s 337 legislators to a standing ovation for the first time in the speech at the National Legislature in Quezon City.

Agreement to de-escalate

Marcos made the remark the day after the Philippine Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) announced on July 21 that the Philippines and China, in a bid to deescalate the worsening situation in the West Philippine Sea, have agreed on a “provisional arrangement” on rotation and resupply (RORE) missions to the BRP Sierra Madre in Ayungin Shoal.

“The Philippines and the People’s Republic of China have reached an understanding on the provisional arrangement for the resupply of daily necessities and rotation missions to the BRP Sierra Madre in Ayungin Shoal,” the DFA said in a statement.

The DFA did not reveal details of the agreement, except to say that both sides concurred that the agreement “will not prejudice each other’s positions in the South China Sea.”

But on the day of Marcos’ speech, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lin Jian said in Beijing that the Philippines agreed to prior notification and onsite confirmation of rotation and resupply missions, a claim that Manila denied.

“The principles and approaches laid out in the agreement were reached through a series of careful and meticulous consultations between both sides that paved the way for a convergence of ideas without compromising national positions,” the DFA said on the July 22.

The DFA said both Manila and Beijing have been talking about the matter since July 2 and the agreement was the first over the Ayungin Shoal.

In his hour-and-a-half annual address, Marcos also said his administration would strive to enhance awareness about the country’s maritime rights through pending legislation, such as the Maritime Zones Act and the Archipelagic Sea Lanes Act.

“We will strengthen and expand the awareness and knowledge of the entire nation, and ensure that we pass this on to our youth and future generations,” he said.

Marcos also thanked the Armed Forces of the Philippines, the Philippine Coast Guard, and fishermen for their vigilance and sacrifices in safeguarding the country’s waters.

“To our entire Armed Forces, the Coast Guard, and our fishermen in the West Philippine Sea, please accept the heartfelt gratitude of the entire nation for your vigilance and sacrifices,” he said in Filipino.

Diplomacy, international law paramount

“In our international relations, we have faced challenges to our territorial sovereignty. We will assert our rights and interests in the same fair and peaceful manner that we have always done,” Marcos said.

“Proper diplomatic channels and mechanisms under the rules-based international order remain the only acceptable means of settling disputes,” he added.

Marcos mentioned ongoing efforts to de-escalate tensions without compromising the country’s position and principles, recognizing that neighboring countries are also striving to make progress.

“We continuously try to find ways to de-escalate tensions in contested areas with our counterparts, without compromising our position and our principles. I know that our neighbors too are doing their very best to make this work,” Marcos said.

In recent months, tensions have escalated due to Chinese vessels’ interference with Philippine resupply missions to Ayungin Shoal, which resulted in a Philippine Navy sailor losing a thumb in June.

Despite the 2016 Hague ruling invalidating China’s expansive claims, Beijing continues to dismiss the ruling which other nations deem to be valid part of international law and legally binding.

Marcos received a standing ovation.

Marcos bans all POGOs

During his address, there was another time that Marcos was interrupted by a standing ovation: when he announced a ban on all Philippine offshore gaming operators (POGOs), mostly targeting the gamblers in China.

The Philippine leader said POGOs were no longer just involved in gaming, but also in illegal activities, such as financial scamming, money laundering, prostitution, human trafficking, kidnapping, torture, and murder.

“The grave abuse and disrespect for our system and laws must stop. We need to end this scourge on our society and abuse in our country… Effective today, all POGOs are banned,” Marcos declared as he ordered government agencies to wind down POGO operations by the end of the year. 

Marcos also directed the Department of Labor and Employment to find new job opportunities for affected workers.

“I hereby instruct PAGCOR to wind down and cease the operations of POGOs by the end of the year. The DOLE, in coordination with our economic managers, shall use the time between now and then to find new jobs for our countrymen who will be displaced,” the president said.

“This will solve many of the problems that we are encountering. It will solve many of the problems that we have been encountering, but it will not solve all of them,” he added.

This decision followed consecutive raids uncovering equipment used for torture and other criminal activities.

All photos Courtesy: Bongbong Marcos/RTVM Facebook pages.

Top photo: Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.