BBM: Phl fighting for its territory

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has maintained that the Philippines “stands ready” to defend its sovereignty and territorial integrity in the West Philippine Sea, as he warned intruders against the continued harassment of Filipino fisherfolk.

In the second episode of his podcast aired Saturday, Marcos emphasized the country’s firm stance despite China’s growing aggression in the disputed waters.

“We did not yield. We continue to protect the sovereignty of the republic. We continue to defend the territory of the republic, and we continue to protect and defend the people of the republic,” Marcos said.

While reiterating that the Philippines does not seek conflict, he issued a stern warning to foreign actors interfering with Filipino activities in the country’s exclusive economic zone (EEZ).

“We’re not picking fights. But don’t harass our fishermen, right? Don’t block us from our own territory. We will definitely fight for that,” he said.

Recent events underscored the President’s concerns.

On Friday, 20 June, multiple Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) vessels were harassed by China Coast Guard (CCG) ships near Panatag Shoal (also known as Bajo de Masinloc or Scarborough Shoal) which lies within the Philippine EEZ.

According to the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG), the BFAR ships — the Datu Tamblot, Datu Taradapit, Datu Bankaya and Datu Daya — were on a mission to distribute fuel subsidies to more than 20 local fishing boats when CCG vessel 4203 approached and fired a water cannon at one of the Filipino vessels approximately 15.6 nautical miles southwest of the shoal.

PCG spokesperson for the West Philippine Sea, Commodore Jay Tarriela, said the Chinese deployed six CCG ships, two People’s Liberation Army Navy (PLAN) warships, and several Chinese maritime militia vessels to obstruct the Philippine resupply mission.

“All aimed to obstruct the BFAR’s efforts to provide support and subsidies to Filipino fishermen,” Tarriela said.

Despite the hostile maneuvers, the BFAR ships sustained no major damage and successfully completed their mission.

The PCG emphasized that the presence of BFAR and PCG vessels in the area was lawful, consistent with the Philippine Maritime Zones Act, the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, and the 2016 Arbitral Award, which invalidated China’s expansive claims in the South China Sea.

In recent months, similar harassment incidents have been documented, including dangerous ramming tactics, blasting of water cannons, and even directed sound weapons reportedly causing harm to the auditory senses of Filipino personnel.

These tactics have been carried out by the CCG, PLAN, and Chinese militia ships targeting civilian-led resupply missions to the grounded BRP Sierra Madre at Ayungin Shoal and elsewhere within the EEZ.

The Philippines has consistently lodged diplomatic protests against the illegal and hostile actions, asserting its sovereign rights over the West Philippine Sea.

President Marcos underscored that the Philippines remains committed to upholding international law while standing its ground.

“We do not want a fight. But don’t harass our fishermen. Don’t block us in our territory. We’ll really fight for that,” he said.