PRESIDENT Rodrigo Duterte will convene the 35-member National Security Council today to discuss the pressing issues facing the country before a delegation led by former President Fidel Ramos faces Beijing for talks over the West Philippine Sea.
“The President will lead the NSC in a multi-partisan dialogue in order to agree on vital policies and strategies on important matters, including the recent ruling of the Permanent Court of Arbitration on the West Philippine Sea,” the Presidential Communications Office said in a statement sent to reporters.
The NSC, chaired by Duterte functions to advise the President with respect to the integration of domestic, foreign, and military policies relating to the national security. It also serves as the President’s principal arm for coordinating these policies among various government departments and agencies in matters involving the national security.
All four past presidents, Fidel Ramos, Joseph Estrada, Gloria Macapagal Arroyo, Benigno Aquino III, Vice President Leni Robredo, Senate President Aquilino Pimentel III, House Speaker Pantaleon Alvarez, the majority and minority leaders of both Houses of Congress, the Chairs of Senate and House Committees involved in national security concerns, and various members of the Cabinet are expected to attend.
The council is expected to discuss the Duterte administration’s peace initiatives, as well as its campaign against illegal drugs.
In an interview Saturday night at the Marco Polo Davao, Ramos said that decisions on the South China Sea row must first be made by the NSC any communication with Beijing.
“There should be a National Security Council [meeting] first, so that the Philippine position can be defined by the group of Philippine leaders led by the President himself,” Ramos said.
Ramos said that while he will be able to attend on behalf of the Philippines, he needs more time to catch up on the issues.
“I am not that up-to-date leader anymore, but I am a country elder,” he said.