No politician should allow themselves to be used by another country just to remain in power, Malacañang said, calling out those who support China's narrative in the West Philippine Sea.

"Hindi po dapat na magpagamit sa ibang bansa para lang manatili sa puwesto (No one should allow themselves to be used by another country just to remain in power), Palace Press Officer and Communications Undersecretary Claire Castro said in a briefing on Wednesday, Aug. 26.

The Palace spokesperson said the issue has actually been noticed for quite some time. 

However, she stressed that while there are suspicions, it must still be thoroughly investigated.

"Kung particular na politician kung mayroon man ay hindi naman agad-agad ito dapat na maisiwalat at kailangan pa ng masinsinang pagpapaimbestiga pero ang issue po na ito ay matagal na po itong napapansin actually (If there is a particular politician involved, if there is one, it should not be disclosed immediately. It still requires a thorough investigation. However, this issue has actually been noticed for quite some time)," Castro said.

Castro made the statement when asked if Malacañang has information regarding the allegation made by Defense Secretary Gilbert Teodoro that some Filipino politicians may be receiving support from China to amplify its operations in the West Philippine Sea.

The Palace official also said that the issue needs to be studied and investigated to determine its extent, adding that it would be difficult to classify it as treason.

"Pag-aralan po natin. So, hindi po natin alam kung hanggang saan ang extent; mahirap pong sabihin kasi ang treason nangyayari po ito kapag mayroong war (Let us study this. So, we do not know the extent; it is hard to say because treason happens when there is a war)," Castro said.

The Palace mouthpiece emphasized that a leader influenced by foreign powers would only promote a different narrative and interests.

"Mahirap po na ang maging lider natin ay hawak ng ibang bansa dahil ibang naratibo at ibang interes ang palalawigin ng mga politiko na hawak ng ibang bansa (It would be difficult if our leaders were controlled by another country because politicians under the influence of foreign powers would promote a different narrative and different interests)," Castro said.

She echoed what President Marcos said in his previous State of the Nation Address (SONA), reminding Filipinos that the nation should not be divided in opinion regarding the country's rights in the West Philippine Sea.

"Isa lang ang bansa natin, hindi po tayo dapat nagkakaroon ng pagkakahiwa-hiwalay ng opinyon at suggestion patungkol sa ating karapatan sa West Philippine Sea o anumang parte ng ating bansa (We have only one country, and we should not be divided in our opinions and suggestions regarding our rights in the West Philippine Sea or any other part of our country)," Castro said.

"Dapat nating ipaglaban ang lahat ng interes ng bansa pati na ng taumbayan, ng mga Filipino (We must stand up for all of the country’s interests, as well as those of the Filipino people)," Castro added.

The Philippines should not allow the harassment and coercion done by the Chinese Coast Guard and maritime militia to become normal, as these are "designed to pressure the Philippines" and "gradually alter the status quo without triggering open conflict," civic leader Jose Antonio Goitia said.

"Its coast guard and maritime militia have harassed Philippine vessels, intimidated Filipino fishermen, and obstructed legitimate Philippine operations. This is gray-zone coercion designed to pressure the Philippines and gradually alter the status quo without triggering open conflict," Goitia said.

"The Philippines cannot allow that to become normal," he stressed.

He pointed out that Filipino fishermen do not become intruders in Philippine waters because Chinese vessels are larger or better armed.

"Our rights do not disappear because Beijing refuses to recognize them. Force does not create sovereignty," Goitia said.

The Palace ally stressed that "the Philippines is not seeking war with China." It only wants its maritime rights to be respected, its fishermen protected, and international law honored.

"Nothing more radical than that," he said.

The civic leader cited the case in Mischief Reef, where China built structures initially called shelters for fishermen.

However, according to Goitia, "today, those shelters form a major Chinese military outpost, complete with an airfield, radar systems, and military infrastructure."

"The Philippines can pursue dialogue without surrendering principle and seek peace without accepting intimidation. Beijing may control the concrete it poured on Mischief Reef. It does not control the law. And it does not own Philippine waters," he said.