The issue in the ๐๐๐ฌ๐ญ ๐๐ก๐ข๐ฅ๐ข๐ฉ๐ฉ๐ข๐ง๐ ๐๐๐ should not be seen only as a matter for the military or politicians. At its core, it is a civilian issue that touches the lives of all Filipinos. Although conversations often center on defense plans and diplomatic issues, the truth is that the situation directly impacts peopleโs livelihood, food security, their sense of national identity, and the countryโs long-term future.
During a leadership forum at Ateneo de Manila University, former political adviser to the Office of the President, ๐๐จ๐ง๐๐ฅ๐ ๐๐ฅ๐๐ฆ๐๐ฌ, called on the public to stand united in addressing the issue of the West Philippine Sea. He encouraged adopting an approach similar to the ๐ฌ๐ฉ๐ข๐ซ๐ข๐ญ ๐จ๐ ๐ญ๐ก๐ ๐๐๐จ๐ฉ๐ฅ๐ ๐๐จ๐ฐ๐๐ซ ๐๐๐ฏ๐จ๐ฅ๐ฎ๐ญ๐ข๐จ๐ง, emphasizing a ๐๐ข๐ฏ๐ข๐ฅ๐ข๐๐ง-๐ฅ๐๐ ๐ฌ๐ญ๐ซ๐๐ญ๐๐ ๐ฒ rather than a purely political or military one. According to him, just as Filipinos came together during the EDSA movement, the nation can unite once again to collectively assert its rights and protect its interests in the ๐๐๐ฌ๐ญ ๐๐ก๐ข๐ฅ๐ข๐ฉ๐ฉ๐ข๐ง๐ ๐๐๐.
