Former Senator Rodolfo Biazon has strongly suggested that President Duterte convene the National Security Council (NSC) for the Duterte administration to form a united stand on the West Philippine Sea (WPS) territorial dispute with China.
Biazon made the call as Philippine leaders have divergent views on how the country should deal with China which carry a mighty military and economic stick.
Biazon, a former chief of staff of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) and former chairman of the Senate national defense and security committee, said there is danger in the conflicting and divergent views on the WPS issue of the President himself, Cabinet members, lawmakers, former lawmakers, and experts on the WPS issue.
He said this cauldron of different opinions might push China into adopting an aggressive stance against the Philippines.
Biazon said even allies of the Philippines might get confused and might not support the country should China becomes aggressive.
He stressed that President Duterte should not be left alone in adopting policies on the WPS issue because the WPS factor involves Philippine national and food security.
The NSC is composed of the President as chairman, members of the Cabinet such as the secretaries of the Department of National Defense (DND) and Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA), leaders of Congress, police and military.
The President may also invite former Philippine Presidents and those in the academe.
Although he is retired from the political scene and public life, Biazon said he is ready to share his knowledge on the WPS.
Biazon said he went to the Senate yesterday to call on senators that they strongly suggest to President Duterte to convene the NSC.
====30=-===