Marcos: We will vigorously defend what is ours
At A Glance
- Marcos said the Philippines will abide by laws as it defends its territory against disrespectful intruders.
Amid increasing maritime tensions in the West Philippine Sea, President Marcos vowed that the Philippines will “vigirously defend what is ours” while being a responsible member of a community of nations.
Marcos said this during the Commencement Exercises of the Philippine Military Academy (PMA) “BAGONG SINAG” Class of 2024 in Baguio City on Saturday, May 18.
In his speech, the President said the Philippines will abide by laws as it defends its territory against disrespectful intruders.
“Against intruders who have been disrespecting our territorial integrity, we will vigorously defend what is ours, but our conduct always guided by law and [by] our responsibility as a rules-abiding member of the community of nations,” he said.
“Against evolving threats that harm our people and corrode social and political trust, we will be adept, we will be flexible, and we will be ready in repelling such things,” he added.
According to the President, the country is facing challenges as the administration strives to transform it. Fortunately, he said Filipinos are not easily fooled by attempts to destabilize the government.
“What we are facing now are a blatant disregard of internationally accepted principles and deployment of weapons of mass distraction by parties who seek to drive a wedge between a united citizenry,” he said.
“But people are not fooled. They can see through such schemes. So, these attempts to divert our attention, dissipate our energy better spent on making the country should not draw us away from the urgent tasks ahead,” he added.
Marcos said the country’s cadets should be equipped with the necessary skills to fend off threats in the battlefield and in the digital space.
“In this time of great complexity, the PMA needs to step up and take on the task of ensuring that the next generation of leaders in the country are ready for the emerging and future challenges,” he said.
“In the digital battlefield, a clear vision for truth, integrity, and patriotism, are necessary tools to combat attempts at disinformation and infiltration,” he added.