Commodore Jay Tarriela, Philippine Coast Guard spokesperson for the West Philippine Sea, has invited Sen. Rodante Marcoleta to join a maritime domain awareness flight over the Kalayaan Island Group. The invitation follows controversy over Marcoleta's remarks suggesting the Philippines consider giving up the area. The administration has reaffirmed its commitment to asserting sovereignty there.
MANILA, Philippines — Philippine Coast Guard spokesperson for the West Philippine Sea, Commodore Jay Tarriela, has invited Sen. Rodante Marcoleta to join a maritime domain awareness flight over the Kalayaan Island Group. In a post on X, formerly Twitter, Tarriela said he was willing to arrange the flight and personally join the operation, following controversy over Marcoleta's remarks on the status of the Kalayaan Island Group.
"Give Senator Marcoleta a chance," Tarriela wrote, adding that residents of Pag-asa Island would be "happy to welcome" the senator.
Tarriela's invitation came after Marcoleta drew criticism for statements he made during a Commission on Appointments hearing for Armed Forces of the Philippines generals. During the hearing, Marcoleta suggested that the Philippines consider "giving up" the Kalayaan Island Group, arguing that some of its features lie beyond the country's 200-nautical-mile exclusive economic zone.
The remarks prompted backlash from lawmakers and maritime security advocates. Marcoleta later defended his statements in an interview with GMA News, saying his critics had taken his remarks out of context. He said his comments were made in reference to technical requirements for listing the West Philippine Sea with the International Hydrographic Organization.
"I informed them that for the West Philippine Sea to be listed in the International Hydrographic Organization, we would need to deposit maps with the United Nations to notify the world that we are usurping part of the high seas by including the Kalayaan Island Group, since it lies beyond our exclusive economic zone," Marcoleta said.
Strategic area. The Kalayaan Island Group lies about 280 nautical miles west of Palawan and is part of the Philippines' claimed territory in the South China Sea. The area is frequently patrolled by Chinese Coast Guard vessels. Pag-asa Island, the largest Philippine-held feature in the group, hosts Filipino civilians, a local government unit, and military personnel.
Meanwhile, the Marcos administration has reiterated that not a single inch of territory will be surrendered. Presidential Communications Undersecretary Claire Castro said, "The President will continue his policy of defending what’s ours. Even an inch of our territory will never be surrendered to foreign powers."
Senate President Pro Tempore Panfilo Lacson rejected Marcoleta’s suggestion, saying giving up the KIG "is no different from giving up Luzon Island or the entire country." He cited the principle of res nullius, under which territory considered to belong to no one may be acquired through discovery and occupation, as done by Tomas Cloma in the Spratly Islands before turning it over to the Philippine government.
Lacson, who visited the KIG in 2021, noted that Kalayaan is a municipality of Palawan with around 300 Filipino families living on Pag-asa Island. Sen. Erwin Tulfo, chairman of the Senate committee on foreign relations, said he would move to strike Marcoleta’s assertions from the chamber's records.