‘Our situation is still the same’

This is what President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. said when asked about recent protests by China after he signed two landmark legislations strengthening the maritime zones and archipelagic sea lanes of the country.

A week ago, Beijing summoned the Philippine Ambassador to China to protest the enactment of the two laws, claiming that the Philippines included several Chinese-claimed islands under the Maritime Zones Act.

China was referring to Scarborough Shoal (Huangyan Dao) and the Spratly Islands (Nansha Qundao), both of which are within Philippine territory.

Marcos said the Philippines and China still do not see eye to eye on the issue.

“They say they do not agree and that they will continue to protect what they defined as their sovereign territory,” Marcos said. “Of course, we do not agree with their definition of sovereign territory."

With this, Marcos said the situation in the West Philippine Sea (WPS) remains unchanged.

“Nothing has changed because our situation is still the same. Our position is still the same,” he stressed.

On 8 November, Marcos signed the Philippine Maritime Zones Act, defining the territories within the country’s jurisdiction and strengthening the Philippines’ rights to the West Philippine Sea.

He also signed the Archipelagic Sea Lanes Act, which establishes a system of sea lanes and air routes through which foreign vessels and aircraft can traverse to and from the Philippine coasts and ports.

Earlier this week, Marcos said the two new laws “serve a purpose” in identifying Philippine boundaries.

On Wednesday, Manila summoned Chinese Ambassador to the Philippines Huang Xilian to protest China’s baselines around Bajo de Masinloc, or Scarborough Shoal.