The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) declared on Tuesday, July 28, that President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s fifth State of the Nation Address (SONA) has reinforced its mission to safeguard the country’s sovereignty and sovereign rights in the West Philippine Sea, grounded firmly on the 2016 arbitral ruling.
AFP spokesperson Col. Francel Margareth Padilla affirmed that the military is fully prepared to execute the Chief Executive’s directives in accordance with its constitutional duty.
“Foremost, the President has set the direction. The Armed Forces of the Philippines stands ready to carry out this direction from the President with courage, with honor, and unwavering commitment to the Constitution and to every Filipino. That has always been our mission and we will continue to fulfill it,” Padilla said.
During his SONA on July 27, President Marcos devoted a significant portion of his address to national security, peace initiatives, and the ongoing situation in the West Philippine Sea. He reiterated that the nation will uphold the 2016 arbitral award—which invalidated China’s expansive South China Sea claims—by adhering to peaceful and legal means, while honoring the dedication of military troops, Coast Guard personnel, and local fishermen operating in the contested waters.
Marcos earned strong applause after asserting that Filipinos are neither greedy, racist, nor liars.
The remark was widely viewed as a subtle jab at China following its recent assertions over Batanes, the spread of an AI-generated video depicting Filipinos as monkeys, and deceptive narratives regarding maritime incidents, including the July 20 Ayungin Shoal confrontation that injured two Filipino sailors.
Padilla noted that the President’s recognition profoundly boosts the morale of troops stationed in maritime zones.
“For the Armed Forces of the Philippines, these are more than policy statements. They reinforce our mission that we carry out every day,” she said.
The military spokesperson emphasized that the armed forces will remain steadfast and professional despite persistent regional security tensions.
“We will continue to defend our sovereignty, our sovereign rights, and protect the Filipino people. We will uphold the rule of law with professionalism, discipline, and restraint following this guidance,” Padilla said.
“Despite the challenges that we are facing in the West Philippine Sea, our resolve remains unshaken. Our mission has not changed and it will not change,” she added.