Manila: President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. on Saturday (Canada time) admitted that he is 'worried' that his successor might take a different approach in handling the West Philippine Sea (WPS) issue. In a media interview before returning to Manila after his four-day official visit to Canada, Marcos stressed the need to be consistent in protecting and defending the WPS.

According to Philippines News Agency, Marcos also emphasized the importance of upholding the 2016 arbitral ruling that favored the Philippines against China regarding long-standing maritime disputes. He expressed his concern about the potential shift in policy, stating, "Well, of course, it's a very important issue for the Philippines, if you're asking me if I'm worried that the policy of the Philippines will change after I leave office, of course, I am. Because it's almost, not quite, but it's almost an existential issue for us."

Marcos highlighted the necessity of maintaining a consistent stance in foreign policy, especially concerning the arbitral award. He noted that the Philippines' position is validated by countries like Canada, which support the ruling as an enforcement of international law and a defense of territorial integrity. The 2016 ruling by the Permanent Court of Arbitration dismissed China's nine-dash line, which has since expanded into a 10-dash line, covering a significant portion of the South China Sea, including the Philippines' exclusive economic zone in the WPS.