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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider 'Huwag tayong magpalinlang': Romualdez warns Pinoys about China's two-pronged approach

'Huwag tayong magpalinlang': Romualdez warns Pinoys about China's two-pronged approach

Published Mar 9, 2025 06:49 am

At A Glance

  • House Speaker Martin Romualdez warned his fellow Filipinos that China "is attacking on two fronts"--through its military might in the West Philippine Sea (WPS) and via disinformation on the Internet.

IMG-af9fbdfcb5acbe9e88a911f6c8acf069-V.jpgHouse Speaker Martin Romualdez (PPAB)

House Speaker Martin Romualdez warned his fellow Filipinos that China "is attacking on two fronts"--through its military might in the West Philippine Sea (WPS) and via disinformation on the Internet.

“Ginagamit nila hindi lang ang barko, kundi pati ang Internet para pasunurin tayo. Isang araw, gigising na lang tayo at sinasabi na nilang hindi sa atin ang Palawan. Hindi natin ito palalampasin,” Romualdez said in a statement Sunday, March 9.

(They're not only using boats, but also the Internet to subjugate us. One day, we were woke and they told us Palawan is no longer ours. We will not let this slide.)

The Lakas-Christian Muslim Democrats (Lakas-CMD) president was referring to escalating tensions in the West Philippine Sea (WPS), marked by increased Chinese incursions and disinformation claiming Palawan as part of China.

Speaker Romualdez said that the fight for sovereignty extends beyond the seas to public discourse, as he cautioned against disinformation designed to weaken the Philippines’ territorial claims.

“Huwag tayong magpalinlang. Hindi lang sa dagat ginaganap ang laban para sa ating soberanya, kundi pati na rin sa ating isipan. Lahat tayo ay may tungkuling ipaglaban ang katotohanan at ang ating karapatan,” he said.

(Let us not be fooled. The fight for our sovereignty is not only being waged at sea, but it is also on our minds. We all have the responsibility to fight for the truth and our rights.)

Romualdez, arguably President Marcos' top ally in the legislature, is an auxiliary vice admiral of the Philippine Coast Guard Auxiliary (PCGA).

He has been consistent in standing against Chinese encroachment and bullying of Filipino fishermen and coast guard in the WPS.

Related Tags

Martin Romualdez West Philippine Sea (WPS) palawan province
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