Manila, July 17 -- Malacanang on Thursday called on Filipinos to stand united in upholding the country's sovereign rights and to promote national identity as a maritime and archipelagic nation.

"Dapat lamang po natin i-promote at ipagtanggol ang ating sovereign rights, ang ating mga karapatan patungkol po sa rights ng ating bansa (We must promote and defend our sovereign rights and the rights of our nation)," Palace Press Officer Claire Castro said in a press briefing.

"Muli, magkaisa po tayo; bawat Pilipino dapat ipagpunyagi kung anong mayroon tayo sa Pilipinas; maging pro-Philippines lagi (Once again, let us unite; every Filipino should be proud of what we have in the Philippines-be pro-Philippines always)," she added.

Castro made th...