Not an inch is given.
Warmer and robust bilateral ties with China does not mean compromising
any part of the Philippine territory.
Secretary of Defense Delfin Lorenzana in his statement during a
forum at the National Defense College of the Philippines dubbed, "The
National Security Outlook for the Philippines in 2019”,was quoted in saying:
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| Defense Chief Delfin Lorenzana (photo credit to owner) |
“While we recognize China as a bilateral partner for joint
ventures and other endeavors, it is worth emphasizing that our territorial
sovereignty and integrity, maritime entitlements and rights should not be
compromised. We are not compromising them; we are not giving them away.”
“The Philippines continues to view the arbitral tribunal ruling as
valid and legitimate. We have not, and we will never surrender any part of our
territory,” Lorenzana added.
Lorenzana notes that the competing territorial and maritime claims
in the South China Sea as the most critical external security challenge for the
Philippines.
He explains further that the country has already called on China
and other competing countries to finalize and adopt a valid, binding and
mutually acceptable code of conduct in the South China Sea.
He laments, that the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) even
with its limited resources and capability maintains its presence within the
exclusive economic zone (EEZ), and does its best to safeguard the farthest ends
of the country’s territory.
“Since it is imperative to secure the national territory,
sovereignty and sovereign rights of our country’s maritime claims and
entitlements, to include the West Philippine Sea and the Philippine Rise, the
AFP is steadfast in performing this constitutional duty,” the Defense chief
emphasized.
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Report from PNA
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