The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) expects the ongoing dispute in the West Philippine Sea, particularly tensions involving China, to serve as a pivotal factor in the 2028 presidential elections.
Speaking at a press briefing on Tuesday, Rear Admiral (res.) Roy Vincent Trinidad, military spokesman for the West Philippine Sea, urged the public to stay vigilant against foreign malign influence and foreign attempts to undermine Philippine sovereignty.
“The West Philippine Sea, our maritime domain, will be a major factor today, moving forward until 2028,” Trinidad stated.
Trinidad highlighted that the Marcos administration has established a “very strong government policy” to defend Philippine national interests in the West Philippine Sea. He noted that this clear posture has prompted Beijing to intensify its illegal, coercive, aggressive and deceptive activities across the region.
“Again, it’s clear that we are not claiming what is not ours. On the other hand, we are merely standing up and fighting for what is legally, rightfully, and internationally recognized as part and parcel of the Philippines, wherein we have sovereignty and sovereign rights,” Trinidad said.
“This will become a major issue, that’s why it’s very important for every Filipino to be aware of what is happening, especially in the information domain because of foreign malign influence,” he added.
Addressing recent reports alleging that an entity linked to Vice President Sara Duterte received funds originating from Chinese companies, Trinidad stressed that relevant government agencies must investigate the matter thoroughly.
He warned that if verified, such foreign financial flows would carry grave national security implications.
Trinidad explained that if these foreign funds were intended to bolster an adversary, “then these are actions that undermine the rule of law, that undermine the government’s stand.”
“These are actions designed to weaken our resolve to stand up for what is ours. So it’s very important, first and foremost, to establish the veracity of these reports,” Trinidad added.