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| Chaired by retired general Edilberto Adan, said Philippine leaders should set aside “any partisan political agenda and parochial interests.” (Photo from Inquirer) |
[Asia News Communication = Reporter Reakkana] MANILA—Retired military and police officers are urging the country’s leaders to unite and set aside differences on China’s continuing aggression in the West Philippine Sea, PH Inquirer reported. In a statement, Advocates for National Interest (ANI), chaired by retired general Edilberto Adan, said Philippine leaders should set aside “any partisan political agenda and parochial interests.”
“This conflict with China should serve to unify rather than divide us. The protection and defense of our sovereignty and territory is a national obligation,” the group said. The Philippine government has been releasing conflicting statements on the West Philippine Sea dispute. President Rodrigo Duterte himself has been issuing contradicting statements about the 2016 arbitral award on the world stage and during his regular briefings.
Critics said Duterte’s statements have been mostly favorable or friendly to China, whose ships continued to encroach Philippine waters despite repeated diplomatic protests of the Philippine government. “Let us take the side of the Filipino people. Our citizens must not lend themselves and unwittingly act in support of the China narrative,” ANI said.
