Manila: Malaca±ang on Monday underscored the need for consistency and responsibility in public statements on the West Philippine Sea (WPS), as it reiterated President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.'s firm position against surrendering any part of Philippine territory or national interest.
According to Philippines News Agency, Palace Press Officer Claire Castro said while lawmakers are free to express their views, the President wants Filipinos, especially public officials, to clearly and consistently communicate the country's rights and interests. 'Pero ang nais din po ng Pangulo, maipahatid ninuman, ng bawat Pilipino kung ano ba ang ating karapatan sa ating teritoryo, kung ano ba ang interes natin sa West Philippine Sea (What the President also wants is for everyone, every Filipino, to convey what our rights are over our territory and what our interests are in the West Philippine Sea),' Castro said in a Palace press briefing.
The Palace's statement comes amid renewed debate in the Senate over the WPS, with Sen. Rodante Marcoleta recently drawing flak after supposedly suggesting the surrender of the Kalayaan Island Group in Palawan. Kalayaan is the country's only municipality located in the WPS. Its center on Pag-asa Island hosts the country's largest and most developed stronghold in the disputed waters.
Castro stressed that the President's position remains unchanged. 'Ganoon pa rin po ang posisyon ng Pangulo, wala pong anumang bahagi ng teritoryo natin o anumang interes ang isu-surrender sa anumang foreign power (The President's position remains the same: no part of our territory or any of our interests will be surrendered to any foreign power),' she said.
Castro said Senate debates fall within the scope of legislators' duties and freedom of expression, but warned against careless or inconsistent messaging on sensitive national issues. 'Pero dapat din po tayong maging tugma sa ating ipinapahayag (We must also be consistent in what we say),' the Palace official said. 'May kasabihan nga tayo, 'Ang magtanim ng hangin, bagyo ang aanihin' (As the saying goes, those who sow the wind will reap the storm),' she added.
