MANILA — Malacañang rejected calls to label Sen. Rodante Marcoleta’s remarks on the West Philippine Sea (WPS) as treasonous, stressing that his statements do not satisfy the legal elements of the crime and do not alter the administration’s unwavering position on territorial integrity.
At a Palace briefing, Malacañang Press Officer Undersecretary Claire Castro underscored that while Filipinos are free to express opinions, the government remains resolute in asserting the country’s rights and interests in the disputed waters.
“Pero ang nais ng Pangulo ay maipahatid ng bawat Pilipino kung ano ba ang ating karapatan sa ating teritoryo, kung ano ba ang interest natin sa West Philippine Sea,” Castro said.
She reiterated that President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has consistently maintained that the Philippines will not give up any part of its territory or national interest to any foreign power.
“Ganoon pa rin ang posisyon ng Pangulo: Wala pong anumang bahagi ng teritoryo natin o anumang interest ang isu-surrender sa anumang foreign power. Pero dapat din po tayo maging tugma sa ating ipinapahayag,” she added.
Castro also pointed out that under Philippine law, treason requires the existence of an actual state of war — a condition she said does not apply to the country at present.
Marcoleta earlier drew public backlash after remarks suggesting that the Kalayaan Group of Islands is not part of the Philippines’ exclusive economic zone and should be abandoned. He later clarified that he never called for the surrender of the islands, saying his statements had been taken out of context./PN
