Bersamin: PH friendly to China but Beijing must compensate

The Philippine government’s stance in issues in the West Philippine Sea remains constant as President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. will still not welcome China’s aggressions in the region. 

Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin made the assurance after Marcos, in his fourth State of the Nation Address (SONA 2025), said the government would remain “patient” when it comes to protecting the country’s rights. 

“No, our position in the West Philippine Sea has remained very constant. Hindi siya naghesitate, hindi siya nagbago (It did not become hesitant, it did not change),” Bersamin said. 

“We are still friendly to China but China must also compensate. If China continues to be aggressive to many things there against our sovereignty, definitely the President will not welcome that,” he added. 

Tensions continue as Beijing claims almost all of the South China Sea, a conduit for more than $3 trillion of annual shipborne commerce, including parts claimed by the Philippines, Vietnam, Indonesia, Malaysia, and Brunei.

In 2016, the Permanent Court of Arbitration in the Hague ruled in favor of the Philippines over China’s claims in the South China Sea, saying that it had “no legal basis.”

However, China has refused to recognize the ruling and continues its hostile actions in the region. 

Marcos has been consistent in saying that the Philippines would never give up a single inch of its territory to foreign aggressors. 

Aside from that, the Philippine President has always pushed for a rules-based order and the adoption of the Code of Conduct on the South China Sea to ease tensions in the region. — RSJ, GMA Integrated News