Security analyst and professor Dr. Chester Cabalza said the West Philippine Sea (WPS) issue should be on top of the priority concerns for political candidates to be able to muster voters’ support.
In a talk with the Manila Standard, Cabalza said the candidates’ political agenda should cover policies on national sovereignty, patriotism, internal security, and defense budget in order to be appealing to the electorate.
“The consistency and continuity of policy in our West Philippine Sea should be the driving force for thousands of politicians to strengthen our national interest and grand narrative in safeguarding our national sovereignty. Filipino politicians must maintain in words and actions how they protect our sovereignty and territorial integrity amid foreign interference in our country.” Cabalza said.
On the subject of patriotism, Cabalza said that youth should be more enthusiastic when it comes to external security interest.
“The mandatory service has become more acceptable now since the Ukraine war and when the AFP shifted from internal security to territorial defense. There is more room for the youth to become more patriotic given the expansive interest in external security,” he said.
According to him, the defense budget must also be scrutinized as it builds a robust and more modern military organization.
“The AFP must ensure obedience to the procurement process as it builds a robust military modernization. It must also cleverly decentralize defense industries as it maximizes the revitalized self-reliant defense posture,” pointed out.
“The AFP has maintained its credible stature as a prime institution for securing the state and protecting the people. But that does not mean that they are exempted with issues on corruption and other societal issues. But as far, the military has regained its grip on internal and external security,” he added.
Cabalza also reminded the soldiers and other uniformed personnel to continue its non-partisan status to get rid of biases and partisanship.
Meanwhile, Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro on Friday said China in interested in meddling with the Philippine elections.
“China has an interest in interfering with our elections. It’s obvious that they are meddling and that is in their DNA.” Teodoro said.
National Security Council assistant director general and spokesman General Jonathan Malaya, said during a Senate committee hearing on April 24 that there were signs suggesting China’s interference in the Philippines’ midterm elections.
However, in a press conference, Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson Guo Jiakun was quoted as saying “China follows the principle of non-interference in other countries’ domestic affairs.”
Teodoro said China was conducting “united front works” adding that Beijing even had a government department for these operations.
According to Teodoro, China is following this path through “illegal, coercive, aggressive and deceptive” actions.
