Aquino, in his third State of Nation Address, said the Philippines is also seeking to expand its defense capability to protect its territories in the area against foreign intrusions.
He said modernization plans for its military, which is among the region’s weakest, are ongoing.
“There are those who say that we should let Bajo de Masinloc go; we should avoid the trouble,” the President said referring to a shoal within the Philippines’ 200-nautical mile exclusive economic zone that has been at the center of a dangerous three-month standoff between the two Asian neighbors.
“But if someone entered your yard and told you he owned it, would you agree? Would it be right to give away that which is rightfully ours?” he said in Filipino.
China, which claims the West Philippines Sea nearly in its entirety, has been asserting ownership over the Bajo de Masinloc or Scarborough Shoal even if it’s much closer to the Philippine mainland, and is considered part of Masinloc municipality in Zambales.
The West Philippine Sea – a strategic and resource-rich region where a bulk of the world's trade passes – has been a source of conflict among competing claimants China, Brunei, Taiwan, Vietnam, and, Philippines.
“As your leader, it is my duty to uphold the laws of our country,” the President said. “I do not think it excessive to ask that our rights be respected, just as we respect their rights as a fellow nation in a world we need to share.”
Since the standoff erupted last April, he said Manila “demonstrated utmost forbearance in dealing with this issue.”
A Philippine navy cutter was also replaced with a civilian boat to stand guard over Bajo de Masinloc at the height of the standoff as a sign of “goodwill.”
Manila also chose not to respond to the Chinese media’s criticisms, he added.
Amid brewing tensions with China, Aquino appealed for solidarity. “Let us speak with one voice,” he said. “Help me relay to the other side the logic of our stand.”
Manila has long been advocating for a peaceful resolution of the disputes and for China to respect a rules-based regime, particularly the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS).
UNCLOS bestows coastal states like the Philippines the right to manage, develop and exploit resources in areas covered by its EEZ. It is signed by the Philippines, China and 162 other states.
“This is not a simple situation, and there can be no simple solutions,” the President said.
He noted his administration is “consulting experts, every leader of our nation, our allies – even those on the other side – to find a resolution that is acceptable to all.”
To protect its territorial waters, Aquino announced plans to beef up military arsenal with cannons, personnel carriers, and frigates.
A second Hamilton-class cutter from the US will also be delivered within the year.
“We are not sending paper boats out to sea. Now, our 36,000 kilometers of coastline will be patrolled by more modern ships,” he said.
Two of the three Philippine C-130 planes that have been under maintenance will once again be operational, he said.
The Philippines also expects 21 UH-1H or Huey helicopters, four combat utility helicopters, radios and other communications equipment, rifles, mortars, mobile diagnostic laboratories, and station bullet assemblies to be delivered before the end of 2012.
By 2013, two naval helicopters, ten attack helicopters, two light aircraft, one frigate, and air force protection equipment will also be arriving.
In addition to the military equipment, Aquino said Manila will receive a $30-million defense assistance from the US.
