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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider Imee on maritime conflict with China: No shame in pursuing peace without giving up rights to WPS

Imee on maritime conflict with China: No shame in pursuing peace without giving up rights to WPS

Published Apr 1, 2024 08:46 am

Sen. Imee Marcos on Monday, April 1 expressed opposition to any move by the Philippines in its maritime conflict with China in the West Philippine Sea (WPS) that will endanger the Filipino people.

"There is no shame in pursuing peace. Whatever action that may put any Filipino in danger is a gross irresponsibility and must be avoided at all costs," Marcos said in a statement.

"Hindi ako papayag na malagay sa panganib ang buhay ng kahit isang Pilipino. Subalit malinaw rin sa akin na hindi natin dapat isinusuko ang ating mga karapatan sa West Philippine Sea (I will not let a single Filipino be put in danger. But it's also clear that we should not give up our rights in the West Philippine Sea)," she added.

President Marcos recently announced that the Philippines will implement a reasonable "response and countermeasure package" over the dangerous attacks made by the China Coast Guard and Chinese maritime militia in the WPS.

This, after the firing of a water cannon by the China Coast Guard to a Philippine vessel that was conducting a resupply mission to the grounded BRP Sierra Madre in the Ayungin Shoal.

Yet the presidential sister said that emotion rather than reason has prevailed in the country's maritime conflict with China and is leading the Philippines down a dangerous path that will cost more than just Filipino pride.

"Our country's defense posture is far from self-reliant and the urge to retaliate soonest is about to pay the price of foreign interference. Section 7 of the newly signed Executive Order 57 welcomes many a Trojan horse of foreign interference through 'donations, contributions, grants, bequests or gifts from domestic and foreign sources' that the National Maritime Center has been authorized to accept," she said.

"Such largesse has been the fuel to never-ending conflict, as we still see in Ukraine and Gaza. To prevent yet another regional conflict, what we need instead are solutions for peace from those who claim to be our genuine allies. Even declarations of support lack credibility where a rules-based international order is loudly invoked amid the mute refusal to ratify the UNCLOS (United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea)," she added.

In light of this, Marcos urged Filipinos to be strong amid these challenges, reminding everyone to have a calm mind, a mild demeanor, and calculated decisions.

She said that this will start with a proper dialogue with China and other countries claiming the islands and and other features in WPS.

"Mahalagang parte rin nito na himukin ang ating mga mamamayan na tahakin ang landas ng kapayapaan at pagkakaintindihan, dahil hindi tayo dadalhin nito sa kapahamakan (It's also an important part of this that we urge our citizens to take path of peace and understanding since this will not lead us to danger)," she said.

"Huwag tayong padalos-dalos, huwag tayong basag-ulo upang ating mapangalagaan ang kapakanan ng ating mamamayan (Let's not be hasty and hostile for the sake of our citizens)," she added.

Related Tags

Senator Imee Marcos United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea West Philippine Sea (WPS) chinese coast guard Ayungin Shoal
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