Lalong tumibay ang determinasyon ng Pilipinas na ipagtanggol ang soberanya, sovereign rights at teritoryo nito sa West Philippine Sea (WPS) dahil sa pag-atake at paghahamon ng China Coast Guard sa mga barko ng pamahalaan.

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Apollo Quiboloy, naghain ng COC sa pagkasenador: ‘Dahil sa Diyos at Pilipinas’

"I have been in constant communication with our national security and defense leadership, and have directed our uniformed services to conduct their missions with the utmost regard for the safety of our personnel, yet proceed with a mission-oriented mindset," ayon sa social media post ni Pangulong Ferdinand Marcos, Jr. nitong Linggo ng gabi.

Nag-ugat ang usapin nang bombahin ng tubig at banggain ng CCG vessels ang mga sasakyang pandagat ng Pilipinas na nagsasagawa lamang ng rotation at resupply (RoRe) mission sa BRP Sierra Madre sa Ayungin Shoal nitong Disyembre 10.

"Let me reiterate what is settled and widely recognized: Ayungin Shoal is within our Exclusive Economic Zone, any foreign claim of sovereignty over it is baseless and absolutely contrary to international law. Bajo de Masinloc is sovereign Philippine territory and an integral part of our archipelago. No one but the Philippines has a legitimate right or legal basis to operate anywhere in the West Philippine Sea. The illegal presence in our waters and dangerous actions against our citizens is an outright and blatant violation of international law and the rules-based international order," anang Pangulo.

Sa huling bahagi ng mensahe ng Pangulo, binanggit nito ang mga sundalo ng bansa. "To our gallant service members, be assured of our utmost gratitude and fullest support. We remain undeterred," pahabol pa ni Marcos.