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Ni ROMEO ALLAN BUTUYAN II
PARA sa pamunuan ng Kamara, katangi-tangi ang ipinamalas na tikas ni Pangulong Ferdinand Marcos Jr. sa pagdalo sa 21st International Institute for Strategic Studies (IISS) Shangri-La Dialogue, na ginanap sa bansang Singapore kung saan tinalakay ang usapin ng West Philippine Sea.
Ayon kay House Speaker Martin Romualdez, dapat ipagmalaki ng mga Pinoy ang matapang na pahayag ni Pangulong Ferdinand Marcos Jr., kung saan hayagan pinalagan ang pambabarako ng Chinese Coast Guard sa West Philippine Sea na pasok sa 200-nautical mile Philippine exclusive economic zone.
Paglalarawan ni Romualdez, hindi lahat ng Pangulo kayang manindigan at ipagtanggol teritoryo ng bansa laban sa mga mananakop.
Magugunitang sa unang araw ng pag-upo ni Marcos sa Palasyo, isang pangako ang binitawan – hindi isusuko kahit kanino maski isang pulgada ng teritoryong sakop ng Pilipinas legal na nasasakop ng bansa.
Bagamat may talas ang binitawang salita ni Marcos, nanindigan ang lider ng Kamara na nasa tamang landas ang administrasyon, partikular sa paraan ng dialogo at diplomasya para resolbahin ang hidwaan sa kabila pa ng mas lumalalang sitwasyon sa West Philippine Sea.
“President Marcos Jr.’s keynote address at the Shangri-La Dialogue is a testament to his strong leadership and his unwavering commitment to protecting our national sovereignty. Every Filipino should be proud of our President, who has shown the world that we are resolute in defending our territory while advocating for peace and diplomacy,” pahayag ni Romualdez.
Isa pang punto ni Romualdez ang tinuran ng Pangulo hinggil sa pandaigdigang batas.
Anang lider-kongresista, tama lang na banggitin ni Marcos ang pagtalima ng Pilipinas sa 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) at sa 2016 Arbitral Award, na nagpapatibay sa maritime rights ng bansa sa West Philippine Sea.
“The President’s reiteration of our legal and moral standing on the West Philippine Sea issue is a powerful message to the international community. It shows that our claims are based on international law, not on mere assertions,” dugtong pa niya.
“Our President has made it clear that the life-giving waters of the West Philippine Sea are integral to our nation’s identity and sovereignty. We will never allow anyone to detach it from our maritime domain,” aniya pa.
Samantala, tiniyak ni Romualdez na suportado ng kamara ang anumang inaakala ni Marcos na makabubuti sa bansa, tulad ng pagpapalakas sa defense capability ng Pilipinas at pagtatanggol sa soberanya.
“While we are determined to protect our territory, we also recognize the importance of peaceful resolution of disputes. This balanced approach demonstrates our commitment to regional and global peace.”
“The President’s vision for a rules-based, people-centered regional community is crucial for maintaining stability and peace in our region. His call for ASEAN’s central role in regional affairs reflects our commitment to multilateralism and collective security,” pahabol ni Romualdez.
