00:00To maintain the presence of the Philippines in Escoda Shoal,
00:03that's the directive of President Bongbong Marcos
00:06following the return of BRP Teresa Magbanoa.
00:10ICANational Maritime Council Spokesman Alexander Lopez
00:14that's not just a physical presence, but a strategic presence.
00:18He can do that because the ships have a radar.
00:23Assets from different agencies like the Philippine Navy
00:27and Armed Forces of the Philippines to monitor the entire West Philippine Sea.
00:32The country also asked for help from its allies.
00:36Lopez did not say which ship will replace BRP Teresa Magbanoa,
00:41but he ordered the immediate return of the forces there.
00:47What our countrymen are thinking,
00:50that if it's a malicious act, we should give up.
00:53No, that's wrong.
00:55We're not giving up. Even if Teresa Magbanoa left,
01:00it did not diminish our presence in the area
01:03because we have other ways to monitor and cover the area.
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01:25Transcription by ESO. Translation by —
