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Palace elated by Lithuania approval of PH's WPS stance

Philippine News Agency

By Ruth Abbey Gita-Carlos
July 4, 2025, 4:03 pm

MANILA -- Malacañang on Friday expressed elation over Lithuania's support for the Philippines' stand and policy to defend and protect the West Philippine Sea (WPS).

This, after Lithuania's Defense Minister Dovile Sakaliene backed the Philippines amid China's incursions and aggression in the WPS.

"Nagpapasalamat po tayo sa bansang Lithuania at kay (We are grateful to the country of Lithuania and to) Defense Minister Dovile Sakaliene," Palace Press Officer Claire Castro said in a press briefing.

"At nakikita po ang ginagawang trabaho ng Pangulo, kung paano ba ipagtanggol ng Pangulo at ng administrasyong kasalukuyan ang karapatan ng mga mangingisda natin at iba pa nating mga kababayan patungkol po dito sa West Philippine Sea (They see the work that the President is doing, how will the President and the current administration defend the rights of our fishermen and other compatriots regarding the West Philippine Sea)."

In an exclusive interview with NewsWatch Plus during his official visit to Manila, Sakaliene hailed the Philippines' documentation and reportage of China's harassment of fisherfolk as a "gold standard."

Sakaliene also described China's actions in the WPS as "gaslighting."

President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr., in the June 21 episode of his podcast, pledged to continue protecting Philippine territory, saying he would not allow any foreign power to seize "even an inch" of the country's domain.

Marcos also vowed to continue asserting the country's sovereign rights over the WPS.

To protect the country's marine resources, Marcos, on Nov. 8, 2024, signed Republic Act (RA) 12064, the Philippine Maritime Zones Act, and RA 12065, the Philippine Archipelagic Sea Lanes Act.

RA 12064 delineates the maritime zones under the jurisdiction of the Philippines, while RA 12065 designates the sea lanes and air routes suitable for the continuous and expeditious passage of foreign ships and aircraft through or over its archipelagic waters and the adjacent territorial sea. (PNA)