Binigyang-diin ni House Speaker Martin Romualdez na nananatili ang posisyon ng Pilipinas na idaan sa payapang resolusyon ang pagtalakay sa isyu ng agawan ng teritoryo sa West Philippine Sea.
Sa kaniyang pagdalo sa The Manila Dialogue on the South China Sea, sinabi niyang pinili ng bansa na idaan sa maayos na usapan ang pagresolba sa territorial dispute hindi dahil sa mahina ang Pilipinas, ngunit dahil kinikilala at iginagalang natin ang international law.
“The Philippines has chosen a principled path of peaceful assertion, aiming to resolve disputes without conflict. We see this approach not as a sign of weakness, but rather as a testament to our commitment to international law, particularly the 1982 Manila Declaration on the Peaceful Settlement of International Disputes. We continue to pursue all avenues for constructive dialogue, and we value gatherings like this Manila Dialogue, where government leaders, policymakers, academics, and security experts converge to generate innovative and sustainable solutions,” ayon sa House Speaker.
Binigyang-halaga rin ng lider ng Kamara ang suporta ng ibang mga bansa sa posisyon ng Pilipinas na nagpapalakas aniya sa validity ng naipanalo nating Arbitral Award at ang pagkakaroon ng rules-based order sa rehiyon.
“We welcome the support of countries that have voiced strong backing for our legal position, including Australia, Canada, France, Germany, Japan, and the United States, among many others. The recent Indo-Pacific dialogue, the Camp David Joint Statement, and statements from G7 Summits affirm a collective stand on maintaining a rules-based order in the region. When international partners acknowledge the validity of the Arbitral Award, they do more than support the Philippines. They uphold a principle that benefits all nations that rely on fair, peaceful, and rule-based maritime boundaries.”
Ibinida rin ni Romualdez ang ginagawang pagpapalakas ng pamahalaan sa ating Sandatahang Lakas at Philippine Coast Guard para bantayan ang ating teritoryo gayundin ang unified messaging upang ilabas at ipaalam sa mga Pilipino at international community ang mga iligal na aktibidad, pangha-harass at agresyon sa ating mga mangingisda sa loob mismo ng ating katubigan.
Sinabi pa ng House Speaker na hindi lang ito usapin ng teritoryo o heograpiya ngunit pagprotekta sa ating kinabukasan at national legacy.
“Our stand is about more than territory. It is about principles. It is about asserting that every nation, regardless of its size or power, deserves respect for its sovereignty. It is about proving that the rule of law is a force stronger than aggression. And it is about ensuring that our children and grandchildren inherit a Philippines that is secure, respected, and sovereign,” ani Romualdez. | ulat ni Kathleen Jean Forbes
