Sen. Francis Pangilinan on Thursday called on more government officials, private sector leaders, civil society groups, media representatives, and academic institutions to visit the Kalayaan Island Group in the West Philippine Sea to strengthen national solidarity and awareness amid continued Chinese aggression in Philippine waters.
Pangilinan made the call following his visit to Pag-asa Island, one of the country’s key outposts in the contested waters.
The senator said the visit highlighted not only the challenges faced by Filipino residents and troops stationed in the area, but also the urgent need to modernize and further support the country’s armed forces and coast guard.
He stressed that defending the country’s territorial waters should not be left to the military and government alone, but must involve a broader “whole-of-nation approach.”
“And I think aside from high government officials, even those in the private sector, media, and socio-civic organizations should also visit,” Pangilinan said.
He noted that the presence of civilian groups alongside the Philippine Coast Guard during West Philippine Sea activities helps reinforce the country’s territorial claims and international legal victory.
“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 (That is why a whole-of-government and whole-of-nation approach is important in defending our Exclusive Economic Zone, territorial waters, and national sovereignty),” he said.
Pangilinan also said visits to the Kalayaan Island Group are important in identifying the operational needs of the military, including additional ships and equipment, especially ahead of national budget deliberations.
“Ayaw natin ang gulo. Ayaw natin ng escalation of tensions. Pero kinakailangan nating paigtingin ang ating capacity to patrol our waters (We do not want conflict. We do not want tensions to escalate. But we need to strengthen our capacity to patrol our waters),” he said.
The senator previously drew criticism from the Chinese Embassy in Manila after speaking against remarks directed at several Philippine government officials and lawmakers over the West Philippine Sea dispute.