The majority of Filipinos recognize the critical importance of continuing to expose China’s illegal, coercive, aggressive, and deceptive actions in the West Philippine Sea—actions directed against Philippine government vessels and our ordinary Filipino fishermen—especially as we host ASEAN. I firmly argue that this exposure must persist. There can be no meaningful dialogue or genuine negotiation if we remain silent while bullies continue to dominate and intimidate us in our own waters.
Transparency is not provocation—it is the most effective tool for shining a light on aggressive bullies. Our objective is to unite the region in defending our collective legitimate rights and to ensure that the maritime order is governed by international law and rules-based principles, not by whoever happens to be the strongest. Our country will keep standing firm in upholding what is rightfully ours.
