PRESIDENT Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on Saturday said the Philippines would "vigorously defend what is ours" against "intruders who have been disrespecting our territorial integrity," in an apparent reference to China's continued aggression in the West Philippine Sea (WPS).

In his speech during the graduation ceremony of the Philippine Military Academy's Bagong Sinag Class of 2024 in Baguio City, Marcos said, however, that while doing this, "our conduct would always be guided by law and [by] our responsibility s a rules-abiding member of the community of nations."

Marcos did not identify the intruders, but tensions between China and the Philippines have sharply escalated in recent months over territorial disputes in the South China Sea.

China has repeatedly impeded Philippine resupply missions to Ayungin Shoal, using aggressive maneuvers, military-grade lasers, and water cannons during past incidents.

The President's statement also comes on the heels of media reports saying that China has issued a regulation empowering its coast guard to detain foreigners trespassing in the South China Sea.

Diplomacy

In response to China's latest move, Senate President Juan Miguel Zubiri, on Friday, said the government should consider diplomatic options such as raising the issue before the United Nations General Assembly or Security Council and invoking the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (Unclos), filing a formal complaint or diplomatic protest, activating the Mutual Defense Treaty (MDT) between the Philippines and the United States, or establishing a Code of Conduct among claimant countries in the Southeast Asian region.

Zubiri said China's actions in the WPS have raised concerns globally. "It's essential to uphold sovereignty and peaceful navigation in the area. Let's hope for a resolution that respects international law and promotes stability," he said.

On Thursday, Zubiri led a historic Senate visit to Pag-asa Island to break ground on two infrastructure development projects for the Kalayaan and the Philippine Navy residents.

On the flight to Pag-asa, the Senate president reported that their aircraft received a radio challenge from Chinese vessels, warning them not to enter Chinese territory.

"If they think a radio challenge can scare us away from our waters, they don't know what they're dealing with. We know, and the whole world knows, that China is encroaching on us here. And we are ready to fight for what is ours," Zubiri said.

'Blatant escalation of tensions

Lawmakers at the House of Representatives, led by Speaker Martin Romualdez, denounced China's threat to "trespassers" in Philippine territory as a "blatant escalation of tensions."

Romualdez said Beijing's move "flagrantly violate[s] international law and the established norms that guide the Philippines and other law-abiding nations with claims in the South China Sea."

"China must respect international rulings and act as a responsible member of the global community, rather than imposing its own laws unilaterally and bullying other nations," he said in a statement Saturday.

He said the House would not tolerate any arrests of citizens or fishermen within its exclusive economic zone (EEZ).

ACT Teachers Rep. France Castro said Beijing has no right to impose such regulation.

"If any country has a right to arrest foreigners, it is the Philippines. China is the one trespassing in our territorial waters and our exclusive economic zone, and now it has the gall to say that they would arrest non-Chinese in our waters," she said.

The House deputy minority leader said that while she agreed with Romualdez that the action of China would further escalate tensions in the WPS, she cautioned that this should not be used by the United States and allies to further militarize the area.

Castro called on the government to expedite filing cases against China again in the Permanent Court of Arbitration and the United Nations.

"The international community, especially the Asean, should also speak up against China's blatant disregard of Philippine sovereignty, the 2016 arbitral ruling, and the Unclos," Castro said.

China's expansive claims over most of the South China Sea overlap with the WPS, including the Scarborough Shoal, which the Philippine civilian mission led by the Atin Ito coalition sought to reach.

Defense and more

In the same speech on Saturday, Marcos told PMA graduates that soldiering now "is no longer limited to defending territories, but to improving the lives of the people who live there."

He said giving up the "simplicity and safety of civilian life," including the comforts of their own homes, is what the graduates have "signed up for" in their military career.

"You will respect civilian authority. You will protect the life and liberty of our people. You will defend the sovereignty of the state. And you will ensure the integrity of the national territory," Marcos told PMA graduates.

A total of 278 graduates from the "Bagong Sinag" Class of 2024 of the Philippine Military Academy celebrate after their commencement exercises at Fort Del Pilar, Baguio City, on Saturday morning, May 18, 2024. President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., as commander-in-chief, was the guest of honor and speaker. Surigaonon Cadet 1CL Jeneth Elumba topped the batch, graduating Magna Cum Laude. PHOTOS BY RIO DELUVIO A total of 278 graduates from the "Bagong Sinag" Class of 2024 of the Philippine Military Academy celebrate after their commencement exercises at Fort Del Pilar, Baguio City, on Saturday morning, May 18, 2024. President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., as commander-in-chief, was the guest of honor and speaker. Surigaonon Cadet 1CL Jeneth Elumba topped the batch, graduating Magna Cum Laude. PHOTOS BY RIO DELUVIO A total of 278 graduates from the "Bagong Sinag" Class of 2024 of the Philippine Military Academy celebrate after their commencement exercises at Fort Del Pilar, Baguio City, on Saturday morning, May 18, 2024. President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., as commander-in-chief, was the guest of honor and speaker. Surigaonon Cadet 1CL Jeneth Elumba topped the batch, graduating Magna Cum Laude. PHOTOS BY RIO DELUVIO A total of 278 graduates from the "Bagong Sinag" Class of 2024 of the Philippine Military Academy celebrate after their commencement exercises at Fort Del Pilar, Baguio City, on Saturday morning, May 18, 2024. President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., as commander-in-chief, was the guest of honor and speaker. Surigaonon Cadet 1CL Jeneth Elumba topped the batch, graduating Magna Cum Laude. PHOTOS BY RIO DELUVIO A total of 278 graduates from the "Bagong Sinag" Class of 2024 of the Philippine Military Academy celebrate after their commencement exercises at Fort Del Pilar, Baguio City, on Saturday morning, May 18, 2024. President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., as commander-in-chief, was the guest of honor and speaker. Surigaonon Cadet 1CL Jeneth Elumba topped the batch, graduating Magna Cum Laude. PHOTOS BY RIO DELUVIO A total of 278 graduates from the "Bagong Sinag" Class of 2024 of the Philippine Military Academy celebrate after their commencement exercises at Fort Del Pilar, Baguio City, on Saturday morning, May 18, 2024. President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., as commander-in-chief, was the guest of honor and speaker. Surigaonon Cadet 1CL Jeneth Elumba topped the batch, graduating Magna Cum Laude. PHOTOS BY RIO DELUVIO

"You will abide by these words, even in the most trying of circumstances. When rations grow thin, morale is low, let these words continue to sustain you. It is this very sense of mission which makes your profession most noble. And you have answered the call to serve at a crucial time in our nation's great and storied history," he added.

The President also said attempts to divert the Filipinos' attention and dissipate their vigilance should not draw the new military officers away from the threats the nation is facing.

"What we are facing now is a blatant disregard of internationally accepted principles and deployment of weapons of mass distraction by parties who seek to drive a wedge between a united citizenry," Marcos said.

"But people are not fooled. They can see through such schemes. So, these attempts to divert our attention, dissipate our energy better spent on making the country should not draw us away from the urgent tasks ahead," he added.

Marcos said the country's cadets should be equipped with the necessary skills to fend off threats on the battlefield and in the digital space.

"In this time of great complexity, the PMA needs to step up and take on the task of ensuring that the next generation of leaders in the country [is] ready for the emerging and future challenges," Marcos said.

"In the digital battlefield, a clear vision for truth, integrity and patriotism are necessary tools to combat attempts at disinformation and infiltration," he added.

'Thank you'

Meanwhile, The Atin Ito (It's ours) coalition, who went on their second civilian journey to the WPS last May 16, thanked the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) and the Philippine Navy, as well as concerned government agencies, for their safe trip.

In a Facebook post on Saturday, the message of thanks was accompanied by a one-minute video of the people helping them on their voyage.

"We extend our heartfelt gratitude to the [PCG], especially to the courageous captain and crew of PCG BRP Bagacay and PCG substations in Subic, Botolan, Masinloc and Iba, the Philippine Navy, the National Task Force on the West Philippine Sea, the [Armed Forces of the Philippines] Northern Luzon Command, the Matalvis port and its staff, captains and the various crew of our civilian boats, [the Maritime Industry Authority], the local government of Subic ... and to our countless donors and supporters for their unwavering support throughout the voyage. Their efforts were crucial in ensuring the safety and success of this mission," the coalition said.

On Thursday, Atin Ito went to the WPS in what was its second civilian mission to the disputed waters and reached the vicinity of the Panatag Shoal, delivering 1,000 liters of fuel and 200 food packs to Filipino fishermen in the area.

"They [China] bully and harass us and claim our seas because they see us small and weak. Yet, they overlook the power of our solidarity and unity — how even the tiniest drops can surge together to form an unstoppable wave," the group said.ARIC JOHN SY CUA