The West Philippine Sea
MANILA, Philippines 鈥� National Intelligence Coordinating聽 Agency (NICA) director general-designate Ricardo de Leon on Thursday said he wants to 鈥済ive focus鈥� on the territorial dispute with China in the West Philippine Sea.
The country should bolster its presence in the area to assert its sovereignty over the Philippine waters, he said.
鈥淲e also have to give聽focus on the West Philippine Sea,鈥� de Leon said over ABS-CBN 黑料社 Channel. 鈥淎ny development with our neighbors, especially in that area, will certainly affect domestic security. We have to view everything, integrate, and harmonize our efforts.鈥�
He then stressed, 鈥淚yong presence ng ating security force in the West Philippine Sea, kailangan ma-strengthen natin 鈥榶an, so that we can also guarantee the safety of our fishermen.鈥�
(We need to strengthen our security forces in the West Philippine Sea so that we can guarantee the safety of our fishermen.)
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With this in mind, the incoming NICA chief said he appreciates that the issue is among the priorities of President-elect Ferdinand 鈥淏ongbong鈥� Marcos Jr.
鈥淲e need all these equipment, facilities, and I鈥檓 happy that this is the focus. I am certain that our President-elect Marcos will sustain all of these efforts, and [will look] at our own national interest as a priority,鈥� he noted.
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He earlier said, however, that the country cannot afford to go to war with the Asian giant and should explore other means of handling the conflict instead.