The government is developing a long-term policy for the West Philippine Sea (WPS) amid rising tensions “due to China’s baseless, excessive, and expansive territorial claims, militarization, and confrontations with its neighbors.”
National Security Adviser and National Security Council (NSC) Director General Eduardo Año gave this assurance on Tuesday during the online forum “Scarborough Shoal: Facing Facts and Exploring Options” organized by the Stratbase Institute in partnership with Stanford University’s SeaLight project.
“We continue to work on addressing gaps, such as crafting a long-term policy for the WPS—one that will transcend administrations to ensure its continuity and sustainability as the government pursues its agenda in the context of geopolitics and international relations,” he said.
“We have also taken important steps in building and strengthening our defense and civilian maritime law enforcement capabilities, enhancing human resource capacity, and leveraging both existing and new security partnerships with like-minded allies. A robust, credible, and self-reliant defense system remains a top priority to meet any challenge to our sovereignty, sovereign rights, and maritime jurisdictions,” he added.
Stratbase Institute President Prof. Victor Andres “Dindo” Manhit described the Philippines as a “force to reckon with,” particularly in protecting its territory and sovereignty.
He also emphasized the strong support from Filipinos for strengthening the Philippine government’s alliances through joint patrols and military exercises aimed at asserting and defending the country’s territorial and economic rights in the West Philippine Sea.
