(Manila, 4th) Malacañang Palace today expressed great appreciation for Lithuania’s open support of the Philippines’ position in defending sovereignty over the West Philippine Sea (WPS), and thanked the Lithuanian Defense Minister for demonstrating a firm stance on this issue.
Lithuanian Defense Minister Dovile Sakaliene recently visited the Philippines and, in an exclusive interview with “NewsWatch Plus,” clearly expressed support for the Philippines' response to China’s incursions in the West Philippine Sea. She stated that the Philippines’ way of documenting and reporting China’s harassment of fishermen could be described as the “gold standard.”
At a press conference, Presidential Communications Secretary Claire Castro said: “We thank Lithuania and Defense Minister Ms. Sakaliene.”
She indicated that the international community is witnessing the efforts of President Marcos and his administration to defend national sovereignty and protect the rights and interests of Filipino fishermen.
Sakaliene also described China’s actions in the South China Sea as “psychological manipulation,” which has drawn widespread attention.
President Marcos, in his personal podcast on June 21, recently pledged that the government will continue to stand its ground in Philippine waters, declaring, “Not an inch of our land will be taken by foreign powers.”
In addition, to strengthen the legal basis for maritime rights, Marcos signed two new pieces of legislation on November 8, 2024: the “Philippine Maritime Zones Act” (RA 12064) and the “Philippine Archipelagic Sea Lanes Act” (RA 12065).
RA 12064 clearly defines the scope of Philippine maritime zones; RA 12065 specifies the lawful routes and airspace for foreign vessels and aircraft to traverse through the archipelagic waters and adjacent territorial seas, ensuring the smooth flow of navigation while safeguarding sovereign interests.
The Philippine government stressed it will continue to safeguard national territorial integrity and maritime resource sovereignty through the rule of law and international cooperation.
Lithuanian Defense Minister Dovile Sakaliene recently visited the Philippines and, in an exclusive interview with “NewsWatch Plus,” clearly expressed support for the Philippines' response to China’s incursions in the West Philippine Sea. She stated that the Philippines’ way of documenting and reporting China’s harassment of fishermen could be described as the “gold standard.”
At a press conference, Presidential Communications Secretary Claire Castro said: “We thank Lithuania and Defense Minister Ms. Sakaliene.”
She indicated that the international community is witnessing the efforts of President Marcos and his administration to defend national sovereignty and protect the rights and interests of Filipino fishermen.
Sakaliene also described China’s actions in the South China Sea as “psychological manipulation,” which has drawn widespread attention.
President Marcos, in his personal podcast on June 21, recently pledged that the government will continue to stand its ground in Philippine waters, declaring, “Not an inch of our land will be taken by foreign powers.”
In addition, to strengthen the legal basis for maritime rights, Marcos signed two new pieces of legislation on November 8, 2024: the “Philippine Maritime Zones Act” (RA 12064) and the “Philippine Archipelagic Sea Lanes Act” (RA 12065).
RA 12064 clearly defines the scope of Philippine maritime zones; RA 12065 specifies the lawful routes and airspace for foreign vessels and aircraft to traverse through the archipelagic waters and adjacent territorial seas, ensuring the smooth flow of navigation while safeguarding sovereign interests.
The Philippine government stressed it will continue to safeguard national territorial integrity and maritime resource sovereignty through the rule of law and international cooperation.