Personnel of the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) and other law enforcement agencies participate in the Inter-Agency Maritime Capability Exercise (MARCAPEX) 2024 held in Davao City from Nov. 21 to 23, 2024. (Photo: PCG)

House Speaker Martin Romualdez is prodding Filipinos to volunteer for the Philippine Coast Guard Auxiliary (PCGA) so they may help protect the nation's sovereignty.

This, as the Leyte 1st district congressman continued his tough rhetoric against Chinese encroachment and aggression in the West Philippine Sea (WPS).

“Hindi na ito panahon para magsawalang-kibo. Araw-araw, sinusubukan ng ibang bansa na angkinin ang ating karagatan. Kung tayo mismo ay hindi kikilos, sino pa ang magtatanggol sa atin?” declared the leader of the 306-strong House of Representatives in a statement Sunday, March 9.

(This is not the time for inaction. Another nation is claiming ownership of our seas on a daily basis. If we ourselves won't act, then who will defend us?)

He said that Beijing's aggressive maneuvers have intensified, with the China Coast Guard recently attempting to block a Philippine civilian boat delivering supplies to BRP Sierra Madre at Second Thomas Shoal. 

Filipino fisherfolk continue to face harassment, while Chinese militia vessels maintain a threatening presence in Philippine waters.

“Walang bansang may karapatang mangharang ng ating mga sundalo, mangingisda, at kababayan sa sarili nating dagat. Hindi natin ito ipagpapalit sa takot o sa bulong ng iba. Ang West Philippine Sea ay atin—hindi lang sa papel, kundi sa tunay na buhay,” the Speaker asserted.

(No country has the right to block our soldiers, fishermen, and the rest of our countrymen in our own waters. We will not give this up based on fear or the whispers of others. The West Philippine Sea is ours--not just on paper, but in real life.)

Romualdez, an auxiliary vice admiral of the PCGA, said PCGA welcomes Filipino citizens aged 18 and above, including those with experience in maritime affairs, environmental conservation and public safety. 

Applicants must complete basic requirements, including an application form, photographs and an orientation seminar. Those in Metro Manila may contact the 109th PCGA Squadron Office in Sta. Cruz, Manila, or the Coast Guard Auxiliary District NCR-Central Luzon in Pasay City.

The Speaker expressed confidence that Filipinos would heed this call, as he cited a recent Social Weather Stations (SWS) survey commissioned by Stratbase Group. 

The survey found that 77 percent of Filipinos support strengthening national defense through international alliances, joint patrols and military exercises.

“Ang laban sa West Philippine Sea ay hindi lang laban ng gobyerno. Laban ito ng buong sambayanan. At kung gusto natin ng mga lider na ipaglalaban ang ating karapatan, tayo mismo ang dapat manguna,” Romualdez said.

(The fight for the West Philippine Sea is not just the government's fight. This is the fight of the entire nation. And if we want leaders who will fight for our rights, then we should do it ourselves.)

In times of natural disasters, PCGA members provide critical manpower for relief operations and emergency evacuations.

Romualdez said that with foreign incursions persisting, civilian participation has never been more urgent. “Kung hindi tayo kikilos ngayon, kailan pa? Hindi tayo dapat maghintay ng panibagong insidente, panibagong pambabastos, panibagong banta bago tayo gumalaw,”  he said.

(If we won't act now, then when? We shouldn't wait for a new incident, a new act of disrespect or threat, before we make our move.)

He added: “Ngayon ang panahon. Ngayon ang laban. Ang ating karagatan ay bahagi ng ating buhay, ng ating pagka-Pilipino, at nasa ating kamay ang tungkuling ipagtanggol ito.”

(The time is now. The fight is ongoing. Our seas are part of our lives, our Filipino identity, and the duty to protect it is in our hands.)