Malacañang on Thursday denied claims that the Philippines is slowly losing control over Bajo de Masinloc following reports that China installed floating structures inside the lagoon.
Palace Press Officer Claire Castro said President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. remains firm in defending the country’s rights in the West Philippine Sea while pursuing peaceful, diplomatic, and legal means to address the issue.
“Hindi po hahayaan ng Pangulo na mangyari po iyan. Alam po natin ano ang totoong stance ng Pangulo pagdating sa interes ng mga Pilipino at interes din natin dito sa ating West Philippine Sea,” Castro said.
Marcos has repeatedly declared that the Philippines will not surrender even an inch of its territory.
Castro said the President is aware of the situation and continues to prioritize diplomatic and legal action in responding to developments in the disputed waters.
“Alam po ng Pangulo ang nangyayari, at nananatili pong malinaw ang kaniyang paninindigan na unahin ang paggamit ng diplomatiko at ligal na hakbang sa pagharap ng ganitong klaseng sitwasyon,” she said.
The Palace official said the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) has already filed a diplomatic protest over the floating movable platform reportedly installed by China in Bajo de Masinloc.
The DFA said the structures violate Philippine sovereignty, sovereign rights, and jurisdiction, and demanded their removal.
The National Task Force for the West Philippine Sea earlier reported that square floating structures were seen inside the lagoon, along with buoys, antennas, and other unidentified objects.
Malacañang said the government will continue asserting the country’s rights through peaceful and rules-based means while monitoring developments in the area.