Isko wants to modernize Navy, Coast Guard to improve West Philippine Sea defense

Presidential aspirant Manila Mayor Isko Moreno on Friday vowed to modernize the Philippine Navy and Coast Guard (PCG) to improve efforts in defending the country's sovereignty over the West Philippine Sea.

In a statement quoting his radio interview, Moreno said the modernization will also ensure that Filipino fishermen will also be able to fish in the disputed areas freely, peacefully, and productively.

“It’s high time for us to redirect most of our resources in the Armed Forces to reinforce our capacity in that part of our country,” he said.

“That’s why, about two months ago, sabi ko we will reinforce our capability with regard to our Navy and Coast Guard,” he added.

For him, the country should increase the Navy's and Coast Guard's presence from Tawi-Tawi to Batanes and invest in these services' reinforcement since the Philippines was an archipelagic country.

Moreno believed that positioning in a “very strong manner” will help the country in dealing with China‘s activities in disputed territories, citing such a similar strategy by Indonesian President Joko Widodo.

Earlier, Foreign Affairs Secretary Teodoro Locsin Jr. said two Philippine supply boats on a resupply mission to Ayungin Shoal were water cannoned by Chinese Coast Guard vessels on November 16.

Sabah

Moreno said that his administration would focus on legal means to pursue the country’s claim over Sabah, which was located on the island of Borneo south of Mindanao.

“What matters most is, tulad ng West Philippine Sea, nanalo tayo (like in the West Philippine Sea, we won),” he said.

“We will be fearless in addressing that, and we will be fair in dealing with them and we’ll be faithful to every Filipino. That’s how we are going to approach it,” he added.

Sabah has long been the subject of a territorial dispute between the Philippines and Malaysia.

According to the heirs of the Sultan of Sulu, the original Filipino sultan controlled the territory for centuries, but the United Nations in 1963 recognized Sabah as part of Malaysia. — DVM, GMA News