Marcos 'concerned' with China's latest aggression in WPS

President Ferdinand ''Bongbong'' Marcos Jr. is concerned about the recent activities of the China Coast Guard in the West Philippine Sea, Malacañang said Tuesday.

At a press briefing, Palace Press Officer Atty. Claire Castro was asked about the China Coast Guard (CCG) vessel shadowing and blocking the Philippine Coast Guard vessel BRP Cabra 170 kilometers off Zambales.

''Of course, [concerned] po ang ating Pangulo sa mga nangyayari. Pero mini-maintain pa rin po natin iyong level of professionalism na may kasama pong fearless spirit of patriotism,'' Castro said, adding that further details will be provided by Philippine Coast Guard spokesperson for the West Philippine Sea (WPS) Commodore Jay Tarriela.

(Of course, our President is concerned with that. But we still maintain the level of professionalism together with a fearless spirit of patriotism.)

Tension continues in the region amid Beijing's claims in almost all of the South China Sea, a conduit for more than $3 trillion of annual ship-borne commerce, including parts claimed by the Philippines, Vietnam, Indonesia, Malaysia, and Brunei.

In 2016, an international arbitration tribunal in the Hague ruled in favor of the Philippines over China's claims, but Beijing has not recognized the decision.

Philippine Ambassador to the United States Jose Manuel ''Babe'' Romualdez said China’s continued aggression in the West Philippine Sea is one of the reasons why the Philippines wants to modernize its armed forces and procure fighter jets, which could be delivered in 2027 once the deal pushes  through. — RSJ, GMA Integrated News