Sinabi ni Pangulong Ferdinand Marcos Jr. nitong Lunes, Marso 4, na walang kinalaman ang United States sa mga hakbang nito pagdating sa mga isyu sa West Philippine Sea.
”The Philippines acts for its own interest, and the decisions that we make when it comes to foreign policy are decisions that we make because we believe, and are convinced, and know that it is in the national interest,” ayon kay Pangulong Ferdinand Marcos Jr.
”I always wanted to make it clear, because there is a narrative out there that is going around that we are at the beck and call, practically, of the United States when it comes to these foreign policy decisions, especially surrounding the South China Sea. But let me make it very, very clear,” sabi ni Marcos.
”And it still manages to be a force for the good. We need for it to continue to be a force for the good, we cannot allow it to overtake, as I said in my remarks, to overtake what the essential priorities of the Philippines,” dagdag pa ni Marcos.