Amid escalating Chinese aggression in the West Philippine Sea, House Speaker Martin Romualdez stood before the world’s lawmakers in Madrid, Spain to deliver the Philippines’ strongest message yet: we will defend our sovereign rights through the force of international law and the unity of democratic nations.
Speaking at the 29th Parliamentary Intelligence-Security Forum (PI-SF) Thursday afternoon (PH time), Romualdez reaffirmed the Philippines’ unwavering commitment to the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) and the 2016 Arbitral Award that categorically recognized the country’s sovereign rights in its exclusive economic zone (EEZ) and rejected China’s sweeping maritime claims.
“Let me be clear: the Philippines remains steadfast in protecting our rights and entitlements in the West Philippine Sea by upholding international law, particularly the 1982 UNCLOS and the 2016 South China Sea Arbitral Award,” the Speaker said. “We categorically reject attempts to undermine our sovereignty, sovereign rights and jurisdiction through coercion or disinformation.”
Romualdez’s remarks came amid reports a China Coast Guard (CCG) ship fired water cannon and sideswiped a Philippine Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) vessel in Pag-asa Cay 2 (Sandy Cay), where it was conducting a marine scientific research initiative.
CCG vessels had also used water cannons against Philippine supply boats in several previous incidents, conducted dangerous blocking maneuvers near Ayungin Shoal, and swarmed Escoda (Sabina) Shoal—actions widely condemned by Philippine officials and international observers as violations of international maritime norms.
“These are not isolated incidents,” Romualdez emphasized. “This is not just a regional issue. It is a global test of whether the rule of law will prevail over brute force.”
He said the Philippines will never surrender its rights nor fall silent in the face of unlawful intimidation, reaffirming the country’s commitment to a foreign policy based on peace, justice, and mutual respect.
“Our approach is anchored on legal clarity, diplomatic dialogue, leveraging partnerships, and the peaceful settlement of disputes,” Romualdez said. “We will not allow foreign narratives to distort the truth on the ground. Nor will we permit coercive actions to dictate our national destiny.”
The Speaker called on democracies and rules-based nations to remain vigilant and united against gray-zone tactics, cyber-enabled propaganda, and the creeping erosion of maritime law and order.
“We serve not only as lawmakers but as standard-bearers of the democratic rule of law,” he said. “In an age when misinformation, cyberattacks, and technological disruption threaten the very fabric of our societies, the need for vigilance and unity among democracies has never been greater.”
Romualdez also tied the maritime security issue to broader global concerns, warning of the cascading risks posed by unregulated technology, weaponized information, and hybrid threats that test the agility of nations and the resilience of governance.
His address builds on the outcomes of the 28th PI-SF, hosted earlier this year in Manila, where legislators from around the world discussed peaceful conflict resolution, defense of territorial integrity, and the strategic protection of global supply chains.
“Forums like the PI-SF allow us to expand these initiatives globally,” he noted. “Here, we are not merely exchanging intelligence — we are building solidarity, mutual understanding, and the legislative muscle to defend freedom and prosperity in this rapidly shifting world.”
Hosted by the Spanish Senate and chaired by former U.S. Congressman Robert Pittenger, the 29th PI-SF convened over 40 nations to align strategies on countering global threats.
Romualdez’s participation further elevated the Philippines’ position as a frontline voice in the defense of international law and Indo-Pacific stability.
He closed with a firm call for collective resolve: “Let us move forward — united in purpose, resolute in action, and inspired by our common vision of peace, stability, and global cooperation.”