National Security Council Deputy Director General Benjamin Madrigal Jr. called for the need for heightened national unity and global cooperation to safeguard Philippine sovereignty and address security threats in the West Philippine Sea.
General Madrigal said during the security conversation on the West Philippine Sea in Ateneo de Davao University that the country’s territorial rights and the livelihood of its citizens, particularly those on Pag-asa Island, remain at risk due to ongoing Chinese activities in the disputed waters.
“Currently, the Philippines faces several challenges that continue to hamper the Philippines’ exercise of its sovereignty, sovereign rights, and jurisdiction over the WPS. We must continue to assert our rights with the right to prepare, not just militarily, but of course, establish and improve a good crisis management system.”
According to Madrigal, the West Philippine Sea faces illegal claims, foreign vessel activity, aggressive maneuvers, harmful island construction, unauthorized research, and airspace violations by drones and helicopters, which disrupt the livelihoods of Filipino fishermen, harm marine ecosystems, and threaten the country’s maritime domain and continental shelf.
“Just last August 24, conducting maritime patrol was made with at least three times building of artificial islands by reclamation, affecting the health of the marine environment, ecosystems and assets in these artificial islands and unauthorized marine scientific research and hydrographic surveys by foreign vessels, including suspected equipment such as underwater drones and other scientific equipment in Philippine waters,” Madrigal said.
Madrigal said that the conditions are expected to evolve under the influence of China and other regional powers, highlighting that the Philippines’ interests and plans in the area are essential to its national security.
“Our vision, interests, and plans in WPS are integral to our overall national security aspirations, set forth in the national security policy. Our overall policy is anchored on President Ferdinand Marcos’ statement that the Philippines would not give up a single square inch of our territory to any foreign power.”
Madrigal enumerated the specific outcomes that they want to achieve for WPS, namely the maintenance and enhancement of control over Philippine-held features, preservation of the natural configuration of unoccupied features, and the enforcement of Philippine sovereignty and jurisdiction.
They also aim for the maximization of resources for national economic growth, and the harmonization of national plans and policies to effectively utilize political, military, diplomatic, and economic tools in advancing Philippine national interests.
Military training for young Filipinos
National Security Adviser and Former Secretary of the National Defense Hon. Norberto Gonzales, advocated that military training must be required for young Filipinos to be resilient and prepared in times of crises, not necessarily war.
“I’m really advocating compulsory military training for young people, which means not only in colleges and universities but the nation as a whole. If you have the training, then you can react to crises. Without it, I don’t know how you will behave.”
With the emphasis on the necessity of maintaining and strengthening diplomatic ties, Madrigal ensured that the country would not be used as a tool and instead would use its partnerships as leverage.
“It is not an instrument of war, but we rather call it an instrument of peace for deterrence, where we are able to gather the support of other countries…We are hoping to be able to demonstrate that we are not alone in this particular challenge,” Madrigal said.
According to the research presented by Madrigal, 72% of Filipinos favor strengthening alliances to defend the West Philippine Sea, such as multilateral cooperations through the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and international bodies to counter China’s claims.
Former Al Jazeera English Correspondent Jamela Alindogan also emphasized the need to recognize misinformation as a national security threat in the West Philippine Sea issue that undermines not only the military but also institutions like the academe, healthcare, and the moral fabric of the country.
“The WPS issue is not just a battle of ships over maritime territories. It is a human security issue, food security issue and a sovereign issue. Ikalat natin ang kahalagahan ng isyung ito. Isulong ang patuloy na usapin ukol sa West Philippine Sea para sa bayan.”
The recent SAMAHAN Civic-Con Series 2 event PAMANA: A Security Conversation on the West Philippine Sea Conflict, was held last September 20 at the Finster Auditorium.
Following this, an indignation rally discussion on ensuring security over the West Philippine Sea will be held on October 9 at the Finster main entrance of the University.