National Maritime Council Supports Marcos' Firm Stance on West Philippine Sea

Title National Maritime Council Supports Marcos' Firm Stance on West Philippine Sea

The National Maritime Council (NMC) has reinforced its commitment to defending the Philippines' sovereign rights in the West Philippine Sea (WPS), echoing President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.'s unwavering resolve. In a recent statement, the NMC reaffirmed that the country will not yield to foreign encroachment into its maritime zones.

This endorsement comes as President Marcos has consistently emphasized the importance of protecting the nation's territorial integrity. On February 6, he underscored that Philippine forces will continue to monitor the country's exclusive economic zones (EEZ) even in the face of obstruction or confrontation with foreign vessels.

The NMC's statement echoes the president's sentiments, emphasizing that the Philippines is committed to upholding its rights under international law, particularly the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) and the 2016 Arbitral Award. The council reaffirmed the country's determination to protect its national territory and maritime domain.

The NMC's backing comes as China continues to assert its presence in the WPS, with reports of Chinese vessels, including a monster ship from the China Coast Guard, patrolling waters off Zambales for over a month. The Philippines has been adamant that it will not tolerate such intrusions and will continue to defend its sovereign rights.

As the situation continues to unfold, the NMC's endorsement serves as a reassuring sign of the country's commitment to protecting its interests in the face of external challenges. While the outcome remains uncertain, the Philippines' determination to assert its sovereignty in the WPS appears unwavering.

Keywords National Maritime Council, West Philippine Sea, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), 2016 Arbitral Award, China Coast Guard.

Edward Lance Arellano Lorilla

CEO / Co-Founder

Enjoy the little things in life. For one day, you may look back and realize they were the big things. Many of life's failures are people who did not realize how close they were to success when they gave up.