We will not be cowed. We will not be intimidated. And we will never waver in defending our territorial and maritime sovereignty in the West Philippine Sea, particularly in areas that the arbitral tribunal has already declared as rightfully belonging to the Philippines.
Atin ang West Philippine Sea. Our right to develop and improve our islands in the Kalayaan Island Group is legitimate, lawful, and non-negotiable. I stand firmly withthe Department of National Defense (DND) and the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) in protecting our sovereign rights and advancing the welfare of Filipinos living in these territories.
The ongoing development and improvement activities in Pag-asa and Lawak islands are not acts of provocation. They are legitimate government initiatives intended to strengthen logistical capabilities, improve living conditions, and provide essential support and services to our kababayans residing there. These are acts of nation-building and public service—not aggression.
Any claim that these activities are “illegal” is baseless, unacceptable, and contrary to international law and the 2016 arbitral ruling which invalidated excessive maritime claims that encroach upon Philippine sovereign rights.
Hindi tayo matitinag sa pagtatanggol sa ating soberanya sa kabila ng paulit-ulit na panggigipit, pagbabanta, at pagtatangkang maliitin ang ating bansa. Ang soberanya ng Pilipinas ay hindi maaaring sindakin, at lalong hindi maaaring isuko.