MANILA, Philippines- “Fully committed” ang administrasyon ni Pangulong Ferdinand Marcos Jr. na protektahan ang maritime interests ng Pilipinas.
Inihayag ito ni Department of National Defense (DND) Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr. sa isinagawang pagpapasinaya sa “Balangay Forum” sa Camp Aguinaldo, araw ng Lunes.
“What we should do, because the political leadership will is already there – no less than the President (Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.) has already said time and time again that we will not waver – we will protect our maritime interests in accordance with international law, which is why in our department and the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), we came up with the CADC (Comprehensive Archipelagic Defense Concept),” ang bahagi ng naging talumpati ni Teodoro.
Kinilala rin ng Kalihim ang kahalagahan ng kasunduan, gaya ng Balangay Forum, at binigyang-diin na ang lahat ng mga Pilipino ay mayroong papel para proteksyunan ang hurisdiksyon at karapatan ng bansa sa resources ng maritime domain, gaya ng nakasaad sa international law.
“We should never trade short-term inflows of cash, cash inflows, for a long-term benefit in the future. Likewise, in the same way, we should also make a call to action to our local officials and other people not to be tempted by spurious offers of cash or other assistance, in order for international criminal syndicates and their ilk to have a foothold in this country,” ang sinabi pa ni Teodoro.
Aniya pa, ang mga ganitong ilegal na aksyon ay “easiest way to destroy the moral fabric, economic fabric, and social fabric of this country.”
Sa kabilang dako, sinabi naman ni AFP chief Gen. Romeo Brawner Jr. na dedikado ang militar para protektahan ang Philippine sovereignty at pagtibayin ang rule of law sa territorial waters nito.
“The AFP embarked on an extensive information operation MULAT, with the aim of raising awareness among Filipinos about what is happening at the West Philippine Sea. Aside from this, the AFP, through multilateral maritime cooperative activities, enhances its capabilities in safeguarding the nation’s maritime domain,” ang sinabi naman ni Brawner sa isinagawang forum panel discussion sa usapin ng pagbibigay-proteksyon sa maritime domain ng Pilipinas. Kris Jose
