SPEAKER Ferdinand Martin Romualdez, has reaffirmed the full support of the House of Representatives to President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr.’s initiative for the continuous enhancement of the Philippine Coast Guard’s (PCG) capabilities and the modernization of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) amid tensions in the West Philippine Sea.

“We stand united in support of President Marcos, Jr.’s firm resolve to enhance our defense capabilities to uphold our country’s sovereignty and protect our national interest in the West Philippine Sea. The House of Representatives is solidly behind his decisive leadership and unwavering commitment to safeguarding our sovereignty and territorial integrity,” Romualdez said in a statement.

He issued the statement on the heels of the collision incident Tuesday morning between the Philippine Coast Guard vessel escorting the rotation and reprovisioning operation of the AFP collided with a bigger Chinese Coast Guard ship.

The incident occurred as Philippine vessels were on their way to the grounded ship BRP Sierra Madre in Ayungin Shoal to deliver supplies to Navy personnel stationed on the ship.

In his keynote address at the Lowly Institute in Melbourne, Australia, President Marcos said the Philippines will continue to upgrade the capabilities of the PCG and pursue the modernization of the AFP in line with his pronouncement that the Philippines shall never surrender even a square inch of its territory and maritime jurisdiction to any country.

“The House of Representatives pledges its full cooperation in the legislative process to ensure the timely implementation of measures to strengthen the Philippine Coast Guard and modernize the AFP to bolster our country’s defense posture in the face of emerging challenges,” Romualdez, who is part of the President’s official delegation to the ASEAN-Australia Special Summit, said.

Marcos bared that he approved earlier this year the updated acquisition plan of the AFP called Re-Horizon 3, in line with the country’s Comprehensive Archipelagic Defense Concept.

Under the defense plan, Marcos said Philippine forces must be able to guarantee, to the fullest extent possible, Filipinos, Philippine corporations, and those authorized by the Philippine government, unimpeded and peaceful exploration and exploitation of all natural resources in areas where the country has jurisdiction, including within its exclusive economic zone in accordance with international law.

President Marcos added that the Philippines will continue to adhere to the 2002 ASEAN-China Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea, and will remain committed to working with ASEAN and China towards an effective and substantive Code of Conduct (COC) based on UNCLOS (United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea).

“The Philippines remains committed to pursuing diplomatic channels to address this issue and seeks to foster a relationship with China based on mutual respect and cooperation. We believe that by working together in a spirit of goodwill, we can achieve a peaceful and equitable resolution to our territorial dispute,” he added.

According to the PCG, the collision between BRP Sindangan with China Coast Guard vessel 21555 resulted in minor structural damage to the PCG vessel.

AUTHOR PROFILE

Jester P. Manalastas