Vice-presidential candidate Senator Francis “Kiko” Pangilinan maintained that strengthening sea patrols and international alliances will capacitate the Philippines in the contested West Philippine Sea (WPS) against the criticisms of his rivals Walden Bello and Rizalino David.

Questioned by David on the failure of the last two administrations—Aquino and Duterte—to stop China’s aggression on the WPS and criticized by Bello on a possible pro-United States policy of a Robredo administration, the senator underlined that the country cannot just allow China to trample on the country’s sovereignty.

“I am prepared to fight for our rights over our territory and not be subservient. Di tayo pwedeng sunud-sunuran sa China (We cannot just be a puppet of China),” he said.

Pangilinan asserted that he and Vice President Leni Robredo plan to resume Coast Guard and Navy patrols in the seas to protect the country’s sovereignty.

“I’m not saying na atakihin natin sila. Pero tayo na wina-water cannon, hindi naman pede tayong nakanganga lang (to attack them. But if we are being water cannoned, we cannot just let them),” he said.

He pointed out the importance of engaging with the 10-member Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), specifically Indonesia and Vietnam that has stakes in WPS, too.

Pangilinan noted that Indonesia and Vietnam “asserted their sovereignty over these waters” despite having a weaker military might than Beijing.

“We should align with ASEAN neighbors who together we can strengthen our position that this aggression is not right,” he said, adding that the United States, Australia, and Japan are also concerned about China’s nine-dash line claim.

“And we to also have to align and strengthen alliances with them so that we have a broad alliance that will assert or will oppose this unacceptable nine-dash claim,” Pangilinan stressed.

But asked by Bello about a possible pro-US policy by the Robredo-Pangilinan tandem, the senator denied that they plan to rely on the United States.

“I did not say that. Look at the tapes. Please let us stick to the facts. Professor, let us stick to the facts,” he said.