Philippines cannot yield its South China Sea position: Marcos

MANILA: Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr said on Monday his country cannot yield or waver on its position in the South China Sea, but will find ways to de-escalate tensions in the contested waters.

In his State of the Nation Address, Marcos said maritime disputes must be settled through diplomatic channels under the rules-based international order. “In the face of challenges to our territorial sovereignty, we will assert our rights and interests in the same fair and pacific way that we have always done,” Marcos said.

Marcos’ remarks, which received a standing ovation from Congress, came after the Philippines said on Sunday it reached a “provisional arrangement” about its resupply missions to the contested Second Thomas Shoal in the South China Sea.

While neither China nor the Philippines provided details of the arrangement, Manila said on Monday it “will not prejudice our respective national positions”. “In our desire to de-escalate the situation in the South China Sea to manage differences in a peaceful manner, we emphasize that the agreement was done in good faith and the Philippines remains ready to implement it,” the Philippines’ Department of Foreign Affairs said in a statement. “We urge China to do the same.” The Chinese foreign ministry confirmed a “provisional agreement” with the two sides agreeing to jointly manage maritime differences and de-escalate the situation.