SENATOR IMEE MARCOS STATEMENT
Re: ABOVE ALL, WE MUST PROTECT AND DEFEND EVERY FILIPINO FROM DANGER, ATTACK, AND - WORST OF ALL - WAR

Emotion rather than reason has prevailed in our maritime conflict with China and is leading us down a dangerous path that will cost us more than just Filipino pride.

Our country's defense posture is far from self-reliant and the urge to retaliate soonest is about to pay the price of foreign interference. Section 7 of the newly signed Executive Order 57 welcomes many a Trojan horse of foreign interference through "donations, contributions, grants, bequests or gifts from domestic and foreign sources" that the National Maritime Center has been authorized to accept.

Such largesse has been the fuel to never-ending conflict, as we still see in Ukraine and Gaza. To prevent yet another regional conflict, what we need instead are solutions for peace from those who claim to be our genuine allies. Even declarations of support lack credibility where a rules-based international order is loudly invoked amid the mute refusal to ratify the UNCLOS (United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea).

There is no shame in pursuing peace. Whatever action that may put any Filipino in danger is a gross irresponsibility and must be avoided at all costs.

Hindi ako papayag na malagay sa panganib ang buhay ng kahit isang Pilipino. Subalit malinaw rin sa akin na hindi natin dapat isinusuko ang ating mga karapatan sa West Philippine Sea.

Maging matatag tayo sa gitna ng hamon na ito, ngunit dapat manaig ang kalmadong pag-iisip, mahinahong pananalita, at kalkuladong mga desisyon.

Nagsisimula ito sa maayos na pakikipag-usap sa China at iba pang mga bansang claimant din ng mga isla at iba pang features sa West Philippine Sea.

Mahalagang parte rin nito na himukin ang ating mga mamamayan na tahakin ang landas ng kapayapaan at pagkakaintindihan, dahil hindi tayo dadalhin nito sa kapahamakan.

Huwag tayong padalos-dalos, huwag tayong basag-ulo upang ating mapangalagaan ang kapakanan ng ating mamamayan.