President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s stance on the West Philippine Sea issue remains firm and unchanged, maintaining that “what is ours is ours,” Malacañang said on Saturday.
Palace Press Officer Claire Castro said Mr. Marcos’ WPS policy is far different from the submissive approach of his predecessor, former president Rodrigo Duterte, who was reluctant to confront China over its claims in the WPS.
“During the time of former president Duterte, there was really no conflict because we just said ‘yes’ to China,” Castro said during a radio interview.
“President Marcos is not like that. He will fight for what our rights are in the West Philippine Sea, in the EEZ,” she added.
Castro lamented that when Duterte apparently bowed down to China during his watch, he allowed Beijing to control Philippine waters, including Sandy Cay where Chinese vessels were seen patrolling under the past administration.
“The former president wished that we would become a province,” she said.
Castro said Duterte had even ordered to stop the construction of Sandy Cay because of strong opposition from China.
“We are not a province of China even though former president Duterte wanted it to be. The President is doing the right thing. His stance is: Leave our territory. Remove your claim over our maritime rights. What is ours is ours,” the Palace official added.
