00:00 In his appearance in the Australian Parliament,
00:02 President Bongbong Marcos again insisted that the territory of the country will not be given to anyone.
00:08 And in the middle of the debate, there were Australian senators who protested.
00:13 All of them were able to point to Ian Cruz.
00:16 Ian?
00:18 Yes, it's 9.42pm here in Australia and earlier this morning, around 10am here,
00:26 President Bongbong Marcos addressed the joint session of the Parliament.
00:31 This is a demonstration of the stronger relationship between the Philippines and Australia,
00:35 as well as the Sigalot, the West Philippine Sea and climate change.
00:39 We remain firm in defending our sovereignty.
00:43 President Bongbong Marcos' message is strong in front of the Australian Parliament today.
00:47 I shall never tire of repeating the declaration that I made from the first day that I took office.
00:54 I will not allow any attempt by any foreign power to take even one square inch of our sovereign territory.
01:04 The challenges that we face may be formidable, but equally formidable is our resolve.
01:12 We will not yield.
01:14 This is the first time that a President of the Philippines spoke in front of the Australian Parliament.
01:20 Here, the President thanked Australia for its support in the middle of the ongoing and fierce movement of China in the South China Sea.
01:29 Aside from America, Australia and the Philippines also have a Visiting Force Agreement.
01:34 The President gave the importance of cooperation.
01:38 We are fighting to build the rules-based international order,
01:43 which is why we should also protect it now, according to the President.
01:49 China has repeatedly blocked Philippine resupply missions to the soldiers who are destined to the BRP Sierra Madre in Ayungin Shoal.
01:59 They also block the Filipino fishermen in the part of the sea that is inside the Philippines' Exclusive Economic Zone.
02:07 We have an abiding interest in keeping our seas free and open, and in ensuring unimpeded passage and freedom of navigation.
02:16 We must uphold, preserve and defend the unified and universal character of the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea as the Constitution of the Oceans.
02:28 Another thing that the President mentioned is the changing climate, which is a major problem for the whole world.
02:35 The Philippines can do its part to reduce carbon emissions, but the rich countries should do more.
02:44 This glaring disproportion between our share of responsibility and our vulnerability reflects an injustice that must be corrected.
02:53 Developed countries must do more, and they must do it now.
02:58 At the President's speech, Australian Senator Janet Rice issued a placard saying "Stop the Human Rights Abuses".
03:08 Rice said it was a shame that Australia invited Marcos to speak in front of their Parliament amid the increasing number of human rights abuses in the country.
03:19 I did it on behalf of every Filipino person whose human rights have been abused by the government of President Marcos and the government of President Duterte before him.
03:32 GEMA Integrated News is trying to get Marcos' and former President Duterte's attention on this.
03:39 Outside the Parliament, some members of the Filipino community also protested, including another Senator.
03:48 After the President's speech, the President and Prime Minister Anthony Albanese also made a joint statement
03:55 where they announced the new Memorandum of Understanding for the priorities of our Strategic Partnership, including the Enhanced Maritime Cooperation.
04:06 The President also allied with the Australian War Memorial to protect the lives of soldiers who were killed in the Second World War.
04:21 The President also helped the Parliamentary leaders and other officials.
04:26 The President went home last night but he will return here in Australia to attend the ASEAN-Australia Summit.
04:35 And from Melbourne, Australia, for GMA Integrated News, Ian Cruz, 24 Hours.
04:43 Thank you very much, Ian Cruz.
04:47 Meanwhile, China said that maritime security cooperation should not be harmful to other countries.
04:53 That was the answer of the Chinese Foreign Ministry when it asked about the joint sea and air patrols of Australia and the Philippines in the West Philippine Sea.
05:00 The Chinese Foreign Ministry also said that it should not affect regional peace.
05:05 [Music]
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