World · Philippines Bureau
Archbishop Calls on Marcos to Stand Firm on West Philippine Sea Rights
The Lingayen-Dagupan Archbishop has urged the administration to maintain an unwavering stance on Philippine sovereignty in the West Philippine Sea while avoiding unnecessary provocation. The church leader said he was amplifying concerns raised by fishing communities in Pangasinan.
LSN Philippines ·
DAGUPAN CITY—A senior Catholic church official has called on the Marcos administration to take a resolute approach to defending Philippine interests in the West Philippine Sea, striking a balance between assertiveness and restraint.
Archbishop Socrates Villegas of Lingayen-Dagupan issued a pastoral message Sunday urging authorities to remain "firm and unyielding" in safeguarding the nation's sovereignty in disputed waters. He emphasized the need to protect territorial claims "without provoking hostilities but without cowering in the face of threat."
Villegas said his intervention reflected the concerns of local fishing communities in Pangasinan, who depend heavily on maritime resources. The church leader's statement underscores growing pressure on policymakers to adopt a stronger stance on West Philippine Sea disputes amid ongoing tensions in the region.
The archbishop's appeal comes as the administration continues navigating complex geopolitical challenges involving rival territorial claims in Southeast Asian waters. His intervention reflects broader concerns within Philippine civil society about balancing diplomatic engagement with firm assertion of national interests.