President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. addressed public concerns Friday regarding a recent agreement with China concerning resupply missions to Ayungin Shoal. He firmly stated the “provisional understanding” does not compromise Philippine sovereign rights. Marcos emphasized the deal is in no way a weakening of the Philippines’ position in the contested South China Sea. He addressed these assurances during a Q&A session with the Foreign Correspondents Association of the Philippines. Details of the understanding remain limited, but the President sought to quell anxieties about potential concessions. The Philippines maintains its firm stance on its territorial claims despite the agreement, he affirmed. This deal intends to de-escalate tensions regarding access to the shoal for Filipino troops.