Senator Francis “Kiko” Pangilinan is calling for a massive show of solidarity in the West Philippine Sea, urging government leaders, media, and private sector groups to visit the Kalayaan Island Group (KIG) to fortify the country’s territorial claims against foreign encroachment.
The senator made the appeal following a recent visit to Pag-asa Island, where he engaged with local residents and evaluated the primary security concerns of the community.
According to Pangilinan, a heightened civilian and institutional presence acts as a strategic deterrent against external pressure.
“And I think aside from high government officials, even yung mga nasa private sector, ang mga nasa media, ang mga socio-civic organizations should also visit.”
Pangilinan noted that based on reports, the presence of non-state actors alongside maritime authorities often shifts the behavior of foreign vessels in contested waters.
“Dahil ang balita natin, pag ang civil society groups at private sector ay kasama ng ating Coast Guard, kasama dito sa mga activities to strengthen our claim and our victory diyan sa international tribunal, talagang medyo dumidistansya ang ating mga katunggali.”
The visit served as a fact-finding mission for the senator to identify specific modernization needs for the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) and the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG).
He emphasized that the findings would be crucial during upcoming budget deliberations, focusing on the acquisition of additional vessels and equipment.
Advocating for a unified front, Pangilinan stressed that the defense of national sovereignty cannot rely on the military alone but requires the involvement of the entire Filipino population.
“Kaya napakahalaga whole-of-government and whole-of-nation approach ang ating pagdepensa sa ating Exclusive Economic Zone, sa ating territorial waters, sa ating national sovereignty.”
While clarifying that the Philippines is not seeking conflict, the senator maintained that the country must be fully equipped to patrol its own waters and uphold the 2016 arbitral ruling.