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Members of the Philippine Navy hold a flag raising ceremony at the Mavulis Island, Batanes, the country’s northernmost island and first line of defense, March 31, 2023. Photo courtesy of BRP Antonio Luna

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PH NAVY

Joyce Balancio

Pia Gutierrez

ABS-CBN News

<div><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width:900px"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/171818407602120230402-ph-navy-mavulis-island-HO7.jpg" style="width:900px" class="fr-fic fr-dib"/><span class="fr-inner" style="text-align:left"><span id="isPasted" style="white-space:pre-wrap">Members of the Philippine Navy hold a flag raising ceremony at the Mavulis Island, Batanes, the country’s northernmost island and first line of defense, March 31, 2023. <em>Photo courtesy of BRP Antonio Luna</em></span></span></span></span></div><p>MANILA -- The Philippine Navy on Independence Day assured the public that it would uphold the country&#x27;s sovereign rights over the West Philippine Sea and that the country&#x27;s flag &quot;will remain flying in all our sovereign territory.&quot; </p><p>&quot;Your members of the Philippine Navy, your Philippine Navy and your AFP are in some isolated outposts – maaaring sa kabundukan, maaaring sa mga isla, maaaring sa BRP Sierra Madre. At tinitiyak nila na iyong ating bandila ay manatiling nakatayo at lumilipad – sagisag ng ating kalayaan. Sapagkat ang ating mga ninuno ay nagbuwis ng dugo at iyong iba sa kanila ay buhay para matamasa natin ang kalayaan ngayong araw,&quot; Commodore Roy Vincent Trinidad, the Philippine Navy Spokesperson for the West Philippine Sea. </p><div><a href="https://news.abs-cbn.com/news/2024/6/9/kawit-prepares-for-126th-independence-day-1836">PHOTO: Kawit prepares for 126th Independence Day</a></div><p>(Your members of the Philippine Navy, your Philippine Navy and your AFP are in some isolated outposts  - may it be in the mountains, the islands, or even the BRP Sierra Madre. And they will ensure that our flag is hoisted high, to symbolize our own freedom because our ancestors sacrificed blood and life for our freedom today.)</p><p>&quot;Rest assured your Philippine Navy and your Armed Forces will continue performing its mandate to ensure that we will remain a free country and our flag will remain flying in all our sovereign territory,&quot; he said in a televised briefing.</p><p>Trinidad said the Philippine Navy would intensify its patrols in the West Philippine Sea after China increased its vessels in the area.</p><div><a href="https://news.abs-cbn.com/news/2024/6/11/-pagdiriwang-ng-ika-126-independence-day-umarangkada-na-1932">Pagdiriwang ng ika-126 Independence Day umarangkada na</a></div><p>But he said the intensified presence of the Chinese ships remained within the &quot;acceptable limits&quot;.</p><p>&quot;Kung titingnan natin iyong buong kakayanan ng South Sea Fleet, hindi pa naman ito alarming, iyong current increase sapagka’t it is well within the capability of the South Sea Fleet. What will be concerning is kapag ito ay may mga puwersa sila galing sa ibang fleet nila – East Sea Fleet or the North Sea Fleet. But so far, iyong increase in numbers is still within our acceptable limits,&quot; he explained.</p><p>(If we can look at the capacity of the South Sea Fleet, this is not alarming, because it is well within the capability of the South Sea Fleet. What will be concerning is if there will be other forces in other fleets. But so far, the increase in numbers is still within our acceptable limits.)  </p><p>&quot;So iyong increase na ito, most likely nanggaling din naman ito sa ibang lugar ng South China Sea, na nag-pull out sila ng barko sapagka’t may exercises siya na ginawa sa Sabina Shoal noong June 2, June 3 and June 4. So the exercise, hindi naman kaagad makaalis iyong barko na iyan, nag-stay pa siya dito so na-monitor natin ang kanilang presence; and the number has increased,&quot; he added.</p><p>(This increase has come from other areas in the South China Sea where they pulled out boats, while exercises are conducted in the Sabina Shoal last June 2, June 3 and June 4. So the exercise, the boat won&#x27;t embark right away, it remained so we monitored their presence and the number has increased.)&#x27;</p><div><strong>&#x27;UNYIELDING&#x27;</strong></div><p>Meanwhile,  President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. reasserted that Filipinos remain unyielding even as the country faces modern day challenges. </p><p>In his toast during the traditional vin d’honneur in Malacanang to celebrate the country’s Independence Day, the Philippine leader noted how the flame of nationalism that sustained Filipino ancestors in their quest for freedom remains lit  to this very day.</p><p>“On many occasions, great trials have all the more strengthened our resolve and unified our people because as I have said, “Filipinos do not yield,” the commander in chief said before an audience that included members of the diplomatic corps.</p><p>“The struggle for Philippine independence continues to reverberate to this day, not against colonial oppression, but against modern-day challenges. We draw inspiration from the valor, resilience, and untiring spirit of our forefathers as we tackle these new challenges confronting our country,” he continued.</p><div><a href="https://news.abs-cbn.com/news/2024/6/9/marcos-underscores-need-to-protect-ph-sovereignty-ahead-of-independence-day-1924" id="isPasted">Marcos underscores need to protect territory, sovereignty ahead of PH’s 126th Independence Day</a></div><p>In the same speech, the Philippine leader said the country continues to chart an independent foreign policy, “grounded on the continuing promotion and work for peace, and the continuing promotion and work for our national interest.” </p><p>“On the global stage, we have taken positions in support of the rule of law and of the rules-based international order, grounded on the principles laid out in the UN Charter and multilateral conventions,” Marcos said.</p><p>The President vowed to “enhance engagements with bilateral, regional, [and] multilateral partners, especially in areas where cooperation has not yet reached its full potential.” This, as the Philippines continues to promote diplomacy and dialogue in its efforts to “build bridges in our various multilateral advocacies - such as for peace, economic development, and climate change.”</p>

<p>The Philippine Navy on Independence Day assured the public that it will continue to uphold the country's sovereign rights over the West Philippine Sea and that the country's flag "will remain flying in all our sovereign territory." </p>

The Philippine Navy on Independence Day assured the public that it will continue to uphold the country's sovereign rights over the West Philippine Sea and that the country's flag "will remain flying in all our sovereign territory."

'Our flag will remain flying in all our sovereign territory', Philippine Navy vows on Independence Day

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'Our flag will remain flying in all our sovereign territory', Philippine Navy vows on Independence Day

Joyce Balancio,

Pia Gutierrez,

ABS-CBN News

Published June 12, 2024 05:29 PM PHT

Read More:

Ferdinand Marcos Jr.

Philippine Navy

West Philippine Sea

126th Independence Day

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