Metro Manila, Philippines – Malacañang on Tuesday, July 21, condemned the latest incident in Ayungin Shoal where a Philippine Navy sailor was injured after he was allegedly struck by a China Coast Guard personnel, saying the government will continue to address the issue through diplomatic channels.
During a Palace press briefing, Undersecretary Claire Castro said President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. supports the statements issued by the Department of National Defense, Armed Forces of the Philippines, and the Department of Foreign Affairs condemning the incident.
“Hindi po din nina-nais ng pangulo ang ganito mga klaseng insidente… na siyang nagbibigay ng polisiya na dapat tayo tumugon sa mga ganitong klaseng insidente through a diplomatic manner,” said Castro.
[Translation: The president does not want incidents like this to happen. His policy is that we should respond to these kinds of situations through diplomatic means.]
She reiterated the DFA position, saying, “Any act of violence against Filipino personnel is unacceptable and will merit the appropriate diplomatic action.”
Asked about China’s claim that Philippine personnel provoked the confrontation, Castro said Filipino troops were only carrying out their lawful mandate.
“Kung ano lang ang mandato ng ating mga opisyal, ‘yan naaayon sa ating karapatan at naaayon sa ating batas,” she said.
[Translation: Our officials and Filipino personnel are just carrying out their mandate, which is consistent with our rights and our laws.]
On whether the Philippines should change its strategy in the West Philippine Sea, Castro said the president would study the matter but noted that asserting the country’s rights should not be done through force.
“Hindi po nadadaan sa dahas ang anumang pakikipaglaban sa karapatan…kundi pakikipaglaban sa katotohanan at kung ano ang iyong karapatan,” said Castro.
[Translation: The fight for our rights should not be carried out through violence, but through standing for the truth and asserting what is rightfully ours.]
