Philippines Won’t Lose ‘Inch’ Of Territory, Says President Marcos

Philippines President Ferdinand Marcos Jr has said that his country “will not lose an inch” of territory.

His remarks come on the heels of tensions with Beijing in the South China Sea this week.

Marcos Jr said in a speech on Saturday; “The country has seen heightened geopolitical tensions that do not conform to our ideals of peace and threaten the security and stability of the country, of the region and of the world.

“This country will not lose an inch of its territory."

He added; “We will continue to uphold our territorial integrity and sovereignty in accordance with our constitution and with international law.

"We will work with our neighbours to secure the safety and security of our peoples."

On Tuesday, Marcos Jr summoned the Chinese ambassador to express his “serious concern” over harassment by the Chinese coastguard of a Philippine Coast Guard vessel as well as Filipino fishermen in the South China Sea.

Marcos Jr also told a news conference that he had reminded China’s ambassador that escalating aggression and incursions into Philippine waters by Beijing’s coastguard, navy and maritime militia forces violated an agreement he struck with Chinese President Xi Jinping last month.