President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s attendance at the 121st founding anniversary of the Philippine Coast Guard in Port Area, Manila in 2022. (PIA-NCR file photo)
MANILA, (PIA) -- President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.'s vow to resist foreign aggression that threatens the country’s sovereignty in the West Philippine Sea drew mixed reactions from Filipinos on Wednesday, April 3, with some praising his firm stance, while others concerned it could lead to conflict.
In his social media post President Marcos declared that "Filipinos do not yield" to China's "coercive, aggressive, and dangerous attacks" as he promised to implement countermeasures in the coming weeks against Beijing's increasingly defiant actions.
"Natutuwa ako at sinabi ng ating Pangulo 'yun, isang matibay na posisyon para ipaglaban 'yung karapatan natin sa West Philippine Sea," said Sylvia Gonzaga, 63, a businesswoman from Grace Park, Caloocan City.
(I'm glad the President is taking a strong position to assert our rights in the West Philippine Sea.)
"Hindi naman pwede na pabayaan na lang natin na laging nambu-bully ang China palagi," said Vicky Gonzales, 49, a fastfood chain supervisor based in Novaliches, Quezon City.
(We can't let China's bullying go unchecked.)
"Eh 'yan ang foreign policy niya. We have no choice but to support and hope for the best,” said Ali Hilario, 48, a delivery rider from Novaliches, Quezon City.
(We have no choice but support (the President) and hope for the best because that's his foreign policy.)
Others, however, were worried about a potential confrontation with the Asian superpower.
"Pabor naman tayo na ipaglaban natin, pero baka mapuno rin si China at lalong maging bayolente, e wala tayong laban 'dun," said part time worker Ruel del Prado from Dagat-dagatan, Caloocan.
(I support defending our sovereign rights but I'm concerned this could provoke China and lead to violence that we can't match.)
"Sana tulungan nga tayo ng mga kaalyado natin," said Val Regencia, a government service driver of Barangay Arkong Bato in Valenzuela City.
(I hope we have backup from our allies.)
Marcos said he has secured assurances of assistance from partners to "protect and secure our sovereignty" in the strategic waterway, where China's Coast Guard and maritime militia have carried out widespread harassment against traditional Filipino fisherfolk and naval patrols. The President, however, did not specify the type of assistance.
The Philippines is one of the 16 major non-NATO treaty allies of the United States. It signed a Mutual Defense Treaty in 1951, which obligates the US to come to the aid of the Philippines and vice versa in case of an armed attack from a foreign aggressor.
China, on the other hand, has continuously ignored an international tribunal ruling that favors the Philippines, in its territorial dispute with China which continues to assert its territorial claims based on the 9-dash line which was declared illegal by an international court. (AVS/PIA-NCR)
