Alvarez to Marcos: Stop escalating WPS tension or yield presidency

WPS COMPOSITE IMAGE: INQUIRER, AFP, REUTERS FILE PHOTOS

MANILA, Philippines — Former House of Representatives speaker and incumbent Davao del Norte 1st District Rep. Pantaleon Alvarez has appealed to President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. to stop making decisions that only escalate tensions in the West Philippine Sea (WPS), or resign from his post.

Alvarez, in a statement on Wednesday cast doubt as to whether the Philippines’ allies would come to its aid once it is under a more aggressive military threat from China, who is also claiming ownership of areas within the WPS.

“I respectfully call for our President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. to stop making decisions and actions that will further escalate the tensions between the Philippines and China. Realistically speaking, we cannot compete with China in terms of military strength.  We have allies and defense treaty with the US but are we one 100% sure they will come to our defense? I don’t think so,” he said.

“I will advise the President to reflect and meditate this Holy Week.  If Jesus Christ himself made sacrifice for the people, maybe it is his turn to do the same by voluntarily resigning from his position and turn over the functions of the presidency to the duly elected Vice President in the person of VP Sara Duterte,” he added. 

INQUIRER.net has sought the side of Malacañang regarding Alvarez’ statements but they have not responded as of posting time.

Focusing on internal issues

Alvarez said that instead of escalating tensions, it would be wise for the government to focus its energies on poverty alleviation and increasing production, as the Philippines cannot compete with China’s military might.

Alvarez,  a known ally of the Dutertes including former president Rodrigo Duterte — warned that the drug problem is resurfacing.

 “It would be better and wiser if we focus our efforts for poverty alleviation, and support services to increase production and correspondingly, the GDP. We have to address the primary societal issues of our country before anything else,” he said.

“We are even having problems with the rising and recurring illegal drugs issue and hunger and yet we are so preoccupied with the ruckus in WPS. Our present government is not setting its sight straight,” he claimed.

Alvarez’ statements came after another resupply mission to troops stationed at the WPS was water-cannoned by the China Coast Guard. 

This is not the first time that Philippine boats and vessels on resupply missions were harassed by China. 

In October 2023 and just this March 2024, Chinese Coast Guard vessels collided with the resupply boat.

Former president Duterte’s former spokesperson Harry Roque speculated earlier that China may have been aggressive at the WPS because they thought the verbal agreement made in the past administration — that the status quo will be maintained in the region — can be carried over to Marcos’ term.  (With reports from Ana Mae Malate, trainee)