Atin Ito First Filipino Community Newspaper in Ontario
Speaking before Australia’s parliament, President Marcos has once again declared to an international audience that the Philippines will never give up an inch of its territory to any foreign power.
“I shall never tire of repeating the declaration that I made from the first day that I took office: I will not allow any attempt by any foreign power to take even one square inch of our sovereign territory,” Marcos said in his speech delivered before the Parliament of Australia on Thursday, Feb. 29.
He made the statement as he talked about the country being on the frontline “against actions that undermine regional peace, erode regional stability, and threaten regional success.”
“Then as now, we remain firm in defending our sovereignty, our sovereign rights, our jurisdiction,” he said.
“The challenges that we face may be formidable, but equally formidable is our resolve. We will not yield,” he added.
Emphasizing that the protection of the South China Sea as a “vital, critical global artery” is crucial to the preservation of regional peace and global peace, he called upon Australia to come together to face the challenges confronting the region.
“Just as we fought to build our rules-based international order, so are we now fighting to protect it,” Marcos said.
“The protection of the South China Sea as a vital, critical global artery is crucial to the preservation of regional peace and, I daresay, of global peace,” he added.
The President told them that the two countries must reinforce each other’s strengths and protect the peace gained from fighting during the war.
He said “we must oppose actions that clearly denigrate the rule of law.”
The Chief Executive stated that the Philippines draw strength from the “consistent and unequivocal support” of Australia and the international community for the lawful exercise of the country’s rights, which have been settled under international law.
He underscored Australia’s shared interest with the Philippines in “keeping our seas free and open and in ensuring unimpeded passage and freedom of navigation.”
“Today, that peace, that stability, and our continued success, have come under threat. Once again, we must come together as partners to face the common challenges confronting the region,” Marcos said.
“Not one single country can do this by itself. No single force alone can counter them by themselves. This is why our Strategic Partnership has grown more important than ever,” he added.
He also thanked the Australian government for standing with the Philippines in upholding the “unified and universal character of the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea as the constitution of the oceans.” — Betheena Unite
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Credit belongs to: www.mb.com.ph
