Querubin pushes for PCG modernization

Senatorial candidate Ariel Querubin is pushing for the modernization of the Philippine Coast Guard amid rising tensions in the West Philippine Sea.

During his campaign activities in Balayan, Batangas, on Thursday, Querubin met with local fisherfolk to discuss the harassment that they had experienced from Chinese vessels in the WPS, including being doused with water and chased out of their traditional fishing grounds in the presence of Chinese patrols.

Querubin said that PCG vessels must be modernized to better protect Filipino fishermen since there is an imbalance in maritime presence in the WPS.

“Isang daan yung barko ng China, ilan yung mga barko natin? Kakaunti lang… Kailangan mapabilis na makapagmodernize tayo para [mapalakas natin ang Coast Guard] para may nagsesecure [sa kaligtasan niyo],” said Querubin.

(China has 100 ships; how many do we have? Just a few… We need to speed up our modernization [to strengthen our Coast Guard] so that they can secure [your safety].)

Earlier, the PCG said that they found encouragement to face Chinese harassment at the WPS after President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. acknowledged China’s aggressive movements.

“Hearing the President mention all those aggressive actions na ginawa ng China na pangla-laser, pangbabanga, pangha-harass ng ating mangingisdang Pilipino, parang nakakaluwag ng loob para sa part ng PCG,” PCG spokesperson for the WPS Commodore Jay Tarriela had said.

(Hearing the President acknowledge China’s acts of laser pointing, ramming, and harassment of our Filipino fishermen is heartening for us.)

“Dahil all of those things na binanggit ni Pangulong Bongbong Marcos, ibig sabihin he is fully knowledgeable kung ano ang pinagdadaanan ng PCG, AFP, at mga mangingisdang Pilipino,” he said.

(All of the issues he mentioned show that he is well-informed about what the PCG, AFP, and our fishermen are going through.)

Marcos has called on China, which is claiming ownership over almost all of the South China Sea, to stop aggressions in the WPS after the latter demanded the Philippines pull out the United States’ Typhon Missile Systems. —Jiselle Anne Casucian/VBL, GMA Integrated News

For more Eleksyon 2025 related content and updates, visit GMA News Online's Eleksyon 2025 microsite.