By Wang Wenwen
Philippine President Benigno Aquino has refused to budge on a territorial dispute with China, asking Beijing to respect Manila's rights in the South China Sea and announcing plans to upgrade military capabilities when addressing a joint session of the Philippine Congress on Monday.
"If someone enters your yard and tells you he owns it, will you allow that?" Aquino said. "It's not right to give away what is rightfully ours. And so I ask for solidarity from our people regarding this issue. Let us speak with one voice."
He also urged all Filipinos to unite in sending a message to China over the dispute.
The long-simmering territorial row between China and the Philippines has intensified since April after a face-off began over Huangyan Island in the South China Sea.
China has declared indisputable sovereignty over South China Sea islands and their surrounding waters, but several Southeast Asian countries, including the Philippines, have made competing claims.
Since the standoff, Aquino has played tough on the matter. Meanwhile, the dispute has dominated the Philippines' local politics and media and has become a top priority in the country, according to AFP.
Philippines Senator Francis Escudero, who does not belong to Aquino's ruling Liberal Party, told AFP before Aquino delivered his annual "state of the nation" speech to Congress that the president needed to reassure the public his government was in control of the situation amid fears of increasing Chinese aggression.
Lin Zhicong, a Chinese expert on the Philippines at Ateneo de Manila University, believes that Aquino's speech is not confrontational and will not escalate the tension between the two countries.
"The Huangyan Island spat has been the Philippine media's focus over the past three months and Aquino cannot avoid talking about it in his 'state of the nation' speech. He needs to provide an account for his people. If he says the country gives up sovereignty over the Island, he will probably lose power," Lin told the Global Times. "But as the US has remained neutral throughout the argument, he should have realized that the only way to solve the issue is through peaceful means."
On Monday, Aquino also announced plans as part of a 75 billion-peso ($1.8 billion) military modernization fund to acquire a refurbished frigate, C-130 planes, utility and combat helicopters, communication equipment, rifles and mortars.
"This is not about picking a fight. This is not about bullying. This is about attaining peace. This is about our capability to defend ourselves," he said.
Su Hao, director of the Asia-Pacific Research Center at China Foreign Affairs University, told the Global Times that the Philippines wants to raise its national strength through military modernization, but it will take a long time. Meanwhile, it will place further burdens on the country's already depressed economy.
Agencies contributed to this story