By Gabriel Kim Leal
(June 7, 2025) — The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) on Saturday urged Filipinos to choose a president in the 2028 elections who will continue standing up for the country’s rights in the West Philippine Sea.
PCG spokesperson Commodore Jay Tarriela warned that the fight to defend Philippine territory shouldn’t end when President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. leaves office.
“Para siguraduhin natin, ang pangulo ng 2028 is not somebody who’s going to set aside our fight in the West Philippine Sea at sasabihin muling walang kinalaman sa sikmura ng Pilipino ito at magkaka-giyera at manangakong magje-jet ski [sa West Philippine Sea],” said Tarriela.
“We have to make sure na ang mananalong presidente by 2028 is somebody who’s going to pick up what President Bongbong Marcos has started.”
Tarriela was referring to former president Rodrigo Duterte’s infamous 2016 campaign remark that he would ride a jet ski to the West Philippine Sea to plant the Philippine flag.
During his term, Duterte pivoted to China, repeatedly calling President Xi Jinping a “good friend” and downplaying the Philippines’ 2016 arbitral win by calling it a mere “piece of paper” to be thrown in the trash.
Marcos, however, has maintained that while the Philippines must assert its rights, it should “never be provoked” by China’s aggressive actions and should not “instigate a war.”
Tarriela said defending the West Philippine Sea is not just a geopolitical issue, but also a way to honor the legacy of Filipino heroes and to secure the future for the next generations.
“Hindi ito sasabihin mong ipagpaliban na natin ang West Philippine Sea ngayon kasi hindi pa handa ang Pilipinas pagdating sa giyera. Hindi pa malakas ang Armed Forces of the Philippines. Mahina ang Coast Guard,” added Tarriela.
“Obligasyon natin ito sa mga bayani na nagbuwis ng buhay para sa independence natin ngayon para maging isang bansa. At obligasyon natin ito para sa susunod na saling lahi ng Pilipino.”
Since Marcos assumed office in 2022, the Philippines has filed nearly 200 diplomatic protests against China over its actions in the disputed waters.
Political observers believe the West Philippine Sea issue will become a defining topic in the 2028 presidential race.
“Iboboto ba namin ang pro-China na presidente or iboboto natin ang isang presidenteng ipagtatanggol ang ating soberanya?” asked analyst Ronald Llamas.
(With reports from JC Cosico, News5 correspondent)
(AGD)
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