Ched Rick Gatchalian

Fishermen who joined the second Atin Ito-led civilian mission to Scarborough Shoal on May 16, 2024. Maria Tan, ABS-CBN News/File

 

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NMC spox supports suggestion for gov’t execs to visit WPS to better understand situation

Harlene Delgado

ABS-CBN News

<div><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width:960px;display:block" width="960"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1770882118114176199358586720240516-atin-ito-wps-MT-52 (1).webp" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" width="960"/><span class="fr-inner" style="text-align:left">Fishermen who joined the second Atin Ito-led civilian mission to Scarborough Shoal on May 16, 2024. <em>Maria Tan, ABS-CBN News/File</em> <br id="isPasted"/> </span></span></span></div><p>MANILA — The spokesperson of the National Maritime Council backs the idea for Philippine officials to visit the West Philippine Sea and the Municipality of Kalayaan to better understand the situation there.</p><p>This comes in the wake of heated exchanges between legislators and other government officials on the issue.</p><p>“Dapat lang kasi unfortunately hindi kasi nila masyadong naa-appreciate ‘yung sitwasyon sa ground,” NMC spokesperson Undersecretary Alexander Lopez said in an interview with state media PTV Thursday, February 12. </p><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2026/2/8/tarriela-invites-marcoleta-on-flight-over-kalayaan-island-group-0925">Tarriela invites Marcoleta on flight over Kalayaan Island Group</a></div><p>“For example sa Kalayaan, teritoryo natin ‘yun, merong mga tao doon, it is a local government unit. So dapat tama lang na bisitahin nila para ma-appreciate nila kung ano talaga ang meron tayo dun, kung bakit tayo naninindigan at kung bakit tayo ay ipinaglalaban ang ating karapatan doon sa malayong-malayong lugar na ‘yun,” he added.</p><p>Earlier, Philippine Coast Guard Spokesperson for the WPS Commodore Jay Tarriela extended an invitation to Sen. Rodante Marcoleta, son Sagip Party-List Rep. Paolo Marcoleta and Sen. Alan Peter Cayetano to visit the Kalayaan Island Group.</p><p>&quot;Mag-bonding kaming lahat sa Pag-asa, magtampisaw kami sa dagat ng Pag-asa Island,&quot; Tarriela said.</p><div> </div><div><strong>‘NOT UP FOR DEBATE’</strong></div><div><br/></div><p>While recognizing that debate is part of democracy, Lopez emphasized that the country’s sovereign rights is not ‘up for debate’, saying that it will further create confusion among the public.</p><p>Marcoleta earlier challenged Tarriela and former Supreme Court Associate Justice Antonio Carpio to a friendly debate before he accepts the invite to visit the Kalayaan Island Group.</p><p>“Ang soberanya, sovereignty at sovereign rights natin ay it’s not up for debate. The international law has already ruled on it kung anong meron tayo, ano ‘yung ating mga karapatan, maritime rights,” he said.</p><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2026/2/9/palace-does-not-see-marcoleta-s-statements-on-west-ph-sea-as-treason-1614" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Palace does not see Marcoleta&#x27;s statements on West PH Sea as treason</a></div><p>When asked for comment on the banning of several Kalayaan execs in China, Lopez said that while they consider it as a ‘sovereign right’ of a country, this will not affect the country’s legal rights.</p><p>“We consider it as a sovereign right of a country. Pero yung ganitong hakbang ay hindi makakapag bago sa ating legal na karapatan at hindi makakapigil sa mga opisyal ng pilipinas na gawin ang kanilang tungkulin,” he said.</p><p>Lopez also noted that the council welcomes the WPS Mandatory Education bill but noted that it is best to wait for the consolidated version of the proposed measure to ensure a unified stand.</p><p>“Ang mahalaga dito no, kapag nauunawaan ng Pilipino ang kanyang karapatan sa dagat, hindi siya madaling malinlang o maintimidate. Ang kaalaman ay nagsisilbing lakas at ito ang pundasyon ng ating pambansang katatagan,” he said.</p><p>The NMC official underscored that the best tool against disinformation is by speaking up and through truth-telling.</p><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2026/2/12/chinese-embassy-hits-back-at-sotto-statements-resolutions-pressuring-china-do-not-work-1357">Chinese Embassy hits back at Sotto: Statements, resolutions pressuring China &#x27;do not work&#x27;</a></div><p>“Iyong sa ating mga kababayan, ang West Philippine Sea ay usapin ng karapatan ng Pilipino, hindi ito pulitika. Maaaring iba-iba ang opinyon natin sa maraming bagay, pero maaari naman tayong magkaisa sa isang prinsipyo,” Lopez said.</p>

<p>The spokesperson of the National Maritime Council backs the idea for Philippine government appointees and elected officials to visit the West Philippine Sea especially the Municipality of Kalayaan to better understand the situation.</p>

The spokesperson of the National Maritime Council backs the idea for Philippine government appointees and elected officials to visit the West Philippine Sea especially the Municipality of Kalayaan to better understand the situation.

‘Dapat lang’: NMC supports suggestion for gov’t execs to visit WPS to better understand situation

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‘Dapat lang’: NMC supports suggestion for gov’t execs to visit WPS to better understand situation

Harlene Delgado,

ABS-CBN News

Published February 12, 2026 03:54 PM PHT

Read More:

National Maritime Council

NMC

West Philippine Sea

Kalayaan

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