Respect for Philippines sovereignty non-negotiable – President Marcos

MANILA, Philippines — Saying that the “most significant threat” to peace is faced by the Philippines every day, President Marcos maintained that respect for the country’s sovereignty is non-negotiable, as he emphasized the role played by its alliance with the US in upholding the rule of law. 

In his keynote address during the Manila Strategy Forum in Pasay yesterday, Marcos described the relations between Manila and Washington as a “beacon of stability” that continues to stand firm on solid ground.

“The Philippines-United States alliance serves the regional interest of upholding the rule of law and maintaining peace, security and prosperity,” the President said.

“We have many bilateral channels of communication and areas of cooperation. But in all of these, respect for our sovereignty, sovereign rights and jurisdiction is, and has always been and will always be, non-negotiable,” he added.

According to Marcos, the two countries, which signed a Mutual Defense Treaty in 1951, stood shoulder-to-shoulder against the most significant threats to international peace and to security in defense of democracy and the rule of law.

Without mentioning China, Marcos went on to discuss what he described as “coercive, aggressive and dangerous actions” in the South China Sea.

China has been resorting to aggressive actions and dangerous maneuvers to assert its claim in the South China Sea, which covers practically the entire strategic sea lane.    

“We always thank the United States for its support – in enhancing our maritime domain awareness and boosting our maritime security efforts,” he added.

Despite its close ties with the US, Marcos said the Philippines does not regard the alliance as “a license to remain on autopilot” and to be complacent.

Economic ties

Marcos also pointed out that strengthening common security requires strengthening economies. He noted that the Philippines has signed a grant agreement with the United States Trade and Development Agency for the development of a 155-kilometer freight railway connecting key ports of Subic, Clark, Manila and Batangas.

“Many other areas are ripe for further economic cooperation between our countries, including ensuring semiconductor supply chain resilience, refining critical minerals and developing civil nuclear power capabilities,” he said.

According to Marcos, the alliance of the Philippines and the United States has reached “a necessary and natural progression” toward trilateral and minilateral, multilateral engagements.

US, Australia, Japan most trusted

A majority of Filipinos have much trust in the United States, Australia and Japan, according to a survey conducted by the Social Weather Stations.

The SWS survey, conducted from June 25 to 29, also found that Filipinos still have low trust in China and Iran.

Based on the latest survey, 72 percent of respondents have “much trust” with the US, while nine percent said they have “little trust.” The remaining 17 percent were undecided.

Navy tests missiles

The Philippine Navy successfully carried out live-fire exercises to test its Israeli-made Spike Non-Line of Sight (NLOS) missile system in the waters west of Zambales on Tuesday.

An AW159 anti-submarine warfare helicopter and the BRP Tomas Campo of the Philippine Fleet led the activity that “demonstrated precision and technological advancement in a live-fire unilateral missile exercise.”

The Philippine Navy said the helicopter successfully conducted the first-ever aerial launch of a Spike NLOS and destroyed its designated target, while the Tomas Campo carried out another coordinated missile launch against a separate target.