MANILA — President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. reaffirmed the Philippines’ commitment to maintaining friendly relations with all nations while safeguarding its sovereignty.

“The Philippines continues to be a friend to all and an enemy to none,” Marcos said during his fourth State of the Nation Address.

Without directly naming China or the West Philippine Sea, Marcos said the country will “continue to build partnerships” and work with allies “towards mutual progress and security.”

“We will remain steadfast in defending our sovereignty, our sovereign rights, and our jurisdiction, while pursuing constant dialogue and open communication with our neighbors,” he said.

The President made the remarks amid rising tensions in the region, following recent incidents involving Philippine and foreign vessels in disputed waters.

Earlier in his term, Marcos had said the Philippines “will not give a single square inch of our territory” and that the country’s foreign policy would be based on “national interest.”

In his SONA, he also emphasized that the country’s foreign relations are now “defined by clarity, consistency, and confidence.”