Philippine Lawmakers Call for Fact-Based Unity on West Philippine Sea Amid Rising Tensions
In a critical move to safeguard national sovereignty, lawmakers have emphasized the urgent need for a fact-based and unified national position regarding the West Philippine Sea (WPS). This call comes at a time of heightened geopolitical tensions, with warnings that personal attacks and misinformation are eroding public understanding of Philippine territorial rights.
Senate Leaders Stress Sober Discussion Over Rhetoric
Senate President Pro Tempore Panfilo Lacson issued a strong statement on Sunday, condemning the use of ad hominem attacks against officials and lawmakers who advocate for a pro-Philippine stance. He argued that such tactics undermine meaningful discussions on national territory, pointing to recent remarks by Rep. Paolo Henry Marcoleta as particularly divisive.
Lacson highlighted that debates on the WPS must be anchored in verifiable facts, noting that Pag-asa Island within the Kalayaan Island Group (KIG) is not just a remote outpost but a functioning community. This island hosts an operational local government unit, schools, and civilian facilities, demonstrating Philippine presence and administration. He reiterated that defending the WPS requires sober, informed discussion grounded in law and actual conditions, rather than rhetoric that divides Filipinos.
Push for West Philippine Sea Education in Schools
Meanwhile, Senator Erwin Tulfo, Chairperson of the Senate Committee on Foreign Relations, is championing the passage of Senate Bill No. 1625, known as the proposed West Philippine Sea Education Act. Tulfo expressed concern that many Filipinos remain unaware of the WPS's significance to national sovereignty, despite its critical role.
The bill aims to institutionalize a structured and age-appropriate WPS curriculum across both basic and higher education levels. Key components of this educational initiative include:
- Coverage of internationally recognized facts and historical context.
- Incorporation of Supreme Court decisions and relevant Philippine laws.
- Reference to the 2016 arbitral ruling that supports Philippine claims.
Under this measure, the Department of Education and the Commission on Higher Education would be mandated to integrate WPS education into their curricula. This effort would be supported by standardized learning materials and comprehensive teacher training, coordinated with agencies such as NAMRIA, the National Security Council, and the Department of Foreign Affairs.
Firm Stance on Kalayaan Island Group Sovereignty
Adding to the unified front, Senate Majority Leader Juan Miguel Zubiri declared that the Philippines must not relinquish even an inch of the Kalayaan Island Group. He emphasized that the KIG is unequivocally part of Philippine territory under both domestic and international laws.
Zubiri pointed to legislative achievements from the 19th Congress, including the Philippine Maritime Zones Act and the Archipelagic Sea Lanes Act, which further reinforce the country's rights over the West Philippine Sea and the KIG. He underscored the presence of Filipino communities in the area, stressing the government's duty to defend these territories for current and future generations.
This collective legislative effort highlights a strategic approach to bolstering national sovereignty through education, legal reinforcement, and bipartisan unity, ensuring that public discourse remains informed and resilient against external pressures.
