Government officials, civil society organizations, academic institutions, media representatives, and members of the private sector must visit the Kalayaan Island Group (KIG) in the West Philippine Sea to strengthen national awareness and solidarity amid continued aggression and harassment by China in Philippine waters, Senator Francis “Kiko” Pangilinan said on Thursday, May 14.
The senator visited Pagasa Island yesterday to address the challenges faced by its residents, whose waters are claimed almost in its entirety by China.
He said that his visit underscores the need for the government to support and modernize the country’s armed forces and coast guard.
But more importantly, Pangilinan stressed that government officials and the private sector must join hands for a “whole-of-nation approach” to address maritime and territorial issues.
Asked if he would encourage more government officials like him to visit the Philippine-claimed island, the lawmaker replied in the affirmative, thanking the West Philippine Sea task force for the invitation.
“And I think aside from high government officials, even yung mga nasa private sector, ang mga nasa media, ang mga socio-civic organizations,” he added. “Dahil ang balita natin, pag ang civil society groups at private sector ay kasama ng ating Coast Guard, kasama dito sa mga activities to strengthen our claim and our victory diyan sa international tribunal, talagang medyo dumidistansya ang ating mga katunggali.”
“Kaya napakahalaga whole-of-government and whole-of-nation approach ang ating pagdepensa sa ating Exclusive Economic Zone, sa ating territorial waters, sa ating national sovereignty.”
His visit is also critical to identifying the military’s needs—such as more ships and equipment—to safeguard the contested waters, especially ahead of the upcoming budget deliberations.
“Ayaw natin ang gulo. Ayaw natin ng escalation of tensions. Pero kinakailangan nating paigtingin ang ating capacity to patrol our waters,” Pangilinan stressed.
Previously, the senator came under fire from the Chinese Embassy in Manila for criticizing the embassy’s remarks against several government officials and lawmakers.