PUERTO PRINCESA, Palawan — Sinaluduhan ni Pangulong Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. ang 80 sundalo na matapang na dumipensa sa West Philippine Sea habang inaatake ng Chinese Coast Guard.

Sa Talk to the Troops sa Camp General Artemio Ricarte sa Puerto Princesa, sinabi ni Pangulong Marcos na hindi matatawaran ang katapangan ng mga sundalo na nagsasagawa ng rotation and resupply missions (RoRe) sa BRP Sierra Madre sa Ayungin Shoal.

Sinabi pa ni Pangulong Marcos na hindi dapat na bigyan ng ibang kahulugan ang pananahimik ng Pilipinas sa harassment ng China sa PIlipinas kung saan isang sundalo ang naputulan ng daliri.

“And in the performance of our duties, we will not resort to the use of force or intimidation, or deliberately inflict injury or harm to anyone,” pahayag ni Pangulong Marcos.

“But at the same time, we stand firm. Our calm and peaceful disposition should not be mistaken for acquiescence,” dagdag ng Pangulo.

Sa mga nakalipas na linggo aniya, maraming hamon at masyadong naging mapanganib ang misyon ng mga sundalo.

“But despite these challenges, you have stood up and upheld the fundamental principles that binds all of us Filipinos. A mutual respect for life, for dignity, and for community,” pahayag ni Pangulong Marcos.

Kaya pakiusap ni Pangulong Marcos sa mga sundalo patuloy na tuparin ang tungkulin at depensahan ng may integridad at respeto ang Pilipinas.

“We are not in the business to instigate wars—our great ambition is to provide a peaceful and prosperous life for every Filipino. This is the drum beat — this is the principle that we live by, that we march by,” pahayag ni Pangulong Marcos.

“We refuse to play by the rules that force us to choose sides in a great power competition. No government that truly exists in the service of the people would invite danger or harm to lives and livelihood,” dagdag ng Pangulo.