PRESIDENT Ferdinand Marcos Jr. stood firm on his position Sunday that the Philippines would not trigger any violent confrontation to resolve territorial disputes in the West Philippine Sea (WPS).
Marcos issued the statement during a visit to the Armed Forces of the Philippines' (AFP) Western Command (Wescom) in Puerto Princesa, Palawan, where he said the government would "refuse to play by the rules that force us to choose sides in a great power competition."
"And that is why, in defending the nation, we stay true to our Filipino nature that we would like to settle all these issues peacefully. And in the performance of our duties, we will not resort to the use of force or intimidation or deliberately inflict injury or harm on anyone," he said.
The Chief Executive's visit came several days after the Filipino troops and China Coast Guard (CCG) personnel faced off during a resupply mission for BRP Sierra Madre in Ayungin (Second Thomas) Shoal.
The CCG vessel rammed into the Filipino vessel on a resupply mission to BRP Sierra Madre in Ayungin Shoal. The Filipino military personnel were then attacked by Chinese crewmen with axes, machetes and hammers to prevent the resupply mission from proceeding.
Videos and pictures of the chaotic face-off made public by the military showed Chinese coast guard personnel hitting a Philippine Navy boat with a wooden bar and seizing a bag while blaring sirens and using blinding strobe lights. The Chinese government said that its coast guard had to take action after Filipino forces defied warnings not to stray into what China calls its own offshore territory.
The violent confrontation sparked condemnation and alarm from the US, the European Union, Japan, Australia, and other Western and Asian nations, while China and the Philippines blamed each other for instigating it.
A Philippine Navy personnel, Seaman First Class Underwater Operator Jeffrey Facundo, lost a finger during the fracas.
"As your commander-in-chief, I have never been prouder of the brave women and men of not just the Western Command but the entire Armed Forces as I am today," the President said.
"I salute the 80 officers and troops who sailed the waters and exercised the greatest restraint amid intense provocation," he added.
Despite the incident, Marcos reminded the AFP to continue fulfilling its duty of defending the country's sovereignty with integrity and respect.
"We are not in the business to instigate wars — our great ambition is to provide a peaceful and prosperous life for every Filipino. This is the drumbeat — this is the principle that we live by, that we march by," he added.
Avoiding violent confrontation and practicing restraint, however, does not equate to being pushovers, Marcos said, and the calm and peaceful approach should not be mistaken as acquiescence.
"We will never be intimidated or oppressed by anyone," Marcos said. "History itself can tell that we have never, never in the history of the Philippines, yielded to any foreign power," he said.
Meanwhile, the President awarded medals to the 80 soldiers for their heroism after the June 17 incident.
Marcos bestowed the Order of Lapu-Lapu Rank of Kampilan to Facundo for his actions during the mission.
On the other hand, the Order of Lapu-Lapu Rank of Kamagi was awarded to 79 others.
The Order of Lapu-Lapu is awarded to government officials and personnel, as well as to private individuals, in recognition of their invaluable or extraordinary service in furtherance of the President's campaign or advocacy.
"As we award these medals, we remember that on June 17th, we made a conscious and deliberate choice to remain in the path of peace. The government will continue to provide you all your needs and look after your welfare and your families' welfare," Marcos said.
"You demonstrated to the world that the Filipino spirit is one that is brave, determined, and yet is compassionate. Even stronger are the people who continue to inspire and motivate you to be at your best: your families, your friends who continue to pray for your safety and to try to ease your worries," he added.
The confrontation fueled growing concern that the dispute could drag in the United States, which has a mutual defense pact with Manila.
The Philippine government said this week that it did not consider Monday's clash an "armed attack" that would trigger a provision in the treaty for Washington to come to Manila's aid.
However, Manila said it was also concerned Chinese forces would launch a similar attempt to dislodge a small Filipino military garrison on Ayungin Shoal.
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