Amid the ongoing heated discussion over allegations that some Filipinos are accused of weakening the position of the country in the West Philippine Sea, the Philippine National Police (PNP) has committed to ensure the safety and security of all civilians living on Pag-asa Island.

What is clear, according to PNP chief Gen. Jose Melencio C. Nartatez, Jr., is that all concerned government agencies must work together to protect roughly 400 Filipinos who are living in the island that is part of the Kalayaan Group of Islands.

In the case of the Pagasa Island, he said coordination remains strong despite external developments surrounding the area.

“The Philippine National Police is closely coordinating with the Armed Forces of the Philippines, the Philippine Coast Guard, and the local government to ensure that civilians on Pagasa Island remain safe and protected. We have clear inter-agency coordination for security and emergency response in the area,” said Nartatez.

Some government and security officials have been lamenting that a number of Filipinos, particularly social media influencers, have been spewing the narratives of a foreign country to weaken the position of the Philippine government on the West Philippine Sea issue.

In 2016, a United Nations tribunal rejected the position of China that claims almost all the South China Sea which prompted the administration of the former president Noynoy Aquino to issue an administrative order renaming a portion of the South China Sea within the country’s exclusive economic zone as West Philippine Sea.

According to maritime experts, this position is now being questioned by some Filipinos themselves. Senator Panfilo Lacson earlier warned against “homegrown traitors”.

On the part of the PNP, Nartatez said they have been actively involved in safety measures and community engagements at the Pagasa Island in line with the instruction of President Marcos to ensure that all Filipinos regardless of their location will benefit from protection and services.

He said the PNP’s role focuses on maintaining peace and order within the community as he emphasized that police personnel on the island are present to serve civilians and address day-to-day concerns.

“While the AFP takes the lead in external defense, the role of the PNP is to ensure internal security, public safety, and peace and order in the community. We have personnel in the area to provide police service and assistance,” Nartatez said.

Nartatez added that the PNP regularly monitors the situation on the ground and remains ready to respond to any issue that may affect civilians, including concerns related to safety, humanitarian needs, and public order.

Nartatez underscored that external tensions should not disrupt the normal lives of residents on Pag-asa Island.