President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. said the Philippines must remain consistent in defending its position on the West Philippine Sea, even after his term ends.
Speaking in Vancouver, Canada, Marcos Jr. admitted he is concerned that a future administration might change course on the issue despite the country’s 2016 arbitral victory.
“So we really have to be consistent in that. And I think the rightness in our positioning… is validated by countries like Canada who support it and see it as simply an enforcement of international law and the defense of our territorial integrity and the exercise of our sovereign rights within our sovereign territory,” he said.
Marcos Jr. described the WPS as an “existential” issue for the country, saying few concerns faced by any president are as important.
During his meeting with Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney, he also thanked Canada for backing the 2016 arbitral ruling.IMT
