The administration needs the full support of Filipinos in its policies and actions regarding our EEZ in the West Philippine Sea
Is the government doing the right thing in asserting our sovereignty over our Exclusive Economic Zone in the West Philippine Sea?
If we’re to make a conclusion based on findings of a recent survey, we can definitely say that many Filipinos support the government’s policies on this issue.
The survey conducted by the OCTA Research group from Sept. 30 to October 4 showed that 58 percent of the respondents either strongly or somewhat agree with the Marcos administration’s response and policies toward the West Philippine Sea.
The results were 15 points higher than the 43 percent obtained in a similar survey made in July.
Meanwhile, those who said they were dissatisfied with the government’s policies in the West Philippine decreased from 14 to 11 percent.
Those who are unsure if they agree or disagree with the government policy on the issue dropped from 43 to 30 percent.
Across areas, support for the government policy toward the West Philippine Sea was highest among those in Metro Manila with 66 percent from 46 percent.
It was followed by those in the rest of Luzon with 59 from 39 percent, and the Visayas and Mindanao with 54 percent from 32 and 60 percent, respectively.
It was also highest among those in class D with 60 from 40 percent, followed by those in class E with 54 from 60 percent and ABC with 50 from 44 percent.
The results indicate that two-thirds of all Filipinos want a dual approach of diplomacy and military action to assert the country’s territorial rights in the region.
Some 70 percent cited diplomacy and other peaceful methods, followed by military action with 65 percent and strengthening the Philippine military’s capability to protect the country’s territories with 62 percent. Military action was defined as expanding naval patrols and troop presence in the West Philippine Sea.
For National Security Adviser Eduardo Año, the survey results indicate one thing: “the country’s foreign and security policies – including strengthening our ties with partners, allies and friends – are on the right track and we will pursue our national interest with greater resolve in the coming year.”
The administration needs the full support of Filipinos in its policies and actions regarding our EEZ in the West Philippine Sea as these are consistent with our commitment to assert national sovereignty and territorial integrity at all times.
From rebels to cops
This is the outcome of peace negotiations instead of furious fighting in the battlefield.
Almost 300 former Moro rebels have taken their oath as members of the Philippine National Police. Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM).
Chief Minister Ahod Ebrahim described this as “one of the byproducts of the Bangsamoro peace process.” He expressed hopes that more will join the national government’s main law enforcement agency.
During the oathtaking of 294 former Moro guerrillas as new members of the PNP held in Maguindanao del Norte recently, Ebrahim pointed out: “This ceremony is indicative that the peace process that we have all worked so hard on is working and is forging a new path [for] peace, progress and development in the Bangsamoro and in the entire county.”
The recruitment of qualified former rebels into the police force for the region is among the key confidence-building measures outlined in the Comprehensive Agreement on the Bangsamoro (CAB) signed by the government and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front in 2014.
“The oath that you took today as full-fledged members of the armed national police force of the country serves as a pledge of commitment and a symbol of your dedication to the common good, and to serve and protect every Bangsamoro and Filipino,” the BARMM chief said.
He urged the former Moro rebels to “exemplify the very best of duty, service, honor and justice.”
The new police officers are part of the first batch of former guerrillas taken into the PNP to fulfill the quota for 2023.
We are glad that the Marcos administration is committed to the Bangsamoro peace process.
We understand that the new police officers were recruited through a transparent screening process, and were made to undergo the same stringent procedures as the others who entered the police force.
The new policemen should remain strong amid the challenges that they face in consolidating and maintaining the peace in the Bangsamoro region.
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