Isko vows ‘fearless and fair’ fight over the West Philippine Sea if elected president

Manila Mayor and presidential aspirant Isko Moreno said Thursday he will be “fearless and fair” in defending the country's sovereignty in the West Philippine Sea if he will be elected president in May 2022.

“We will be fearless in fighting for what is ours. We will insist on the Hague Ruling. But at the same time as being fearless, we are going to be fair with our discussion and management of the situation on both sides,” Moreno said.

The Aksyon Demokratiko’s presidential bet met with about 100 fishermen and their families in Botolan, Zambales who were affected by the presence of Chinese vessels in Panatag or Scarborough Shoal.

“We will be faithful to our farmers and fisherfolks. Ang mga mangingisda, dapat makapangisda sa loob ng ating teritoryo sa dagat. At iyon ang magaganap (Our fishermen must fish inside our territorial waters. That is what will happen.) Undeterred, peaceful, and productive fishing opportunities under our rules. Filipino fishermen first,” he said.

Moreno, citing the stories of local fishermen, said that Chinese fishermen have been “overfishing, depleting our marine resources” and have been selling their catch at a higher rate.

Aside from diplomatic negotiations, he said he will modernize the Philippine Navy and Philippine Coast Guard and improve the country’s lines of defense on its western coast, should he win the May 2022 elections.

“I will reinforce our Navy and Coast Guard. We will invest more on the western side of the country, so that we can protect our sovereignty and territorial jurisdiction as recognized by the UN and all other nations,” he added.

Moreno also said he plans on strengthening the country’s Mutual Defense Treaty and Visiting Forces Agreement with the United States (US). However, he is not currently inclined to invite the US to reinstall military bases in the Philippines.

“We have to study that. In fact, yesterday, we were in the Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA). The former US military base gives us some economic development there, which needs improvement. But bases, actually, sa ngayon, sa totoo lang, dagat lang, okay na. Kasi ang kailangan natin, archipelagic protection. Because we are an archipelagic country (actually now, the sea is enough because what we need is archipelagic protection),” he said.

He said that trade treaties and agreements with the country’s regional neighbors, even claimants to the West Philippine Sea and economic rivals of the US, will continue under his administration.

“Treaties will be recognized. Trade with America, Vietnam, China, and all other nations will continue because (the) WPS issue is far different from our economic issue in terms of trade. We’ll take that as an opportunity for us to gain, for the people to gain, for the country to gain,” he added.

Along with Moreno in Zambales were his running mate Dr. Willie Ong and senatorial bets Samira Gutoc, Dr. Carl Balita, and Jopet Sison.—Giselle Ombay/AOL, GMA News