"Marcos Stands Firm in Defending Philippines' Sovereignty"

Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr asserted in an address to the Australian parliament that his country will not tolerate any foreign power encroaching on its territory, particularly in the South China Sea, where tensions with China persist. The joint sea and air patrols with Australia aim to counter China's assertiveness in the region. Marcos emphasized the importance of safeguarding the South China Sea for global peace and stability, ahead of his attendance at an ASEAN summit in Melbourne.