Citizen soldiers in West Philippine Sea pushed

MANILA, Philippines — A major labor group has voiced support for the military’s plan to build up and deploy citizen soldiers to help protect and defend the West Philippine Sea.

“This initiative steers away from military alone and the common practice of merely increasing intelligence funds, and seeks a more direct and participative method to support the national interest,” the Federation of Free Workers (FFW) said in a statement before the weekend.

“The defense of the country against foreign aggression or protecting our territorial integrity is a duty of every citizen, not only the AFP. This sentiment reflects the essence of a united front in safeguarding the nation’s territories,” FFW national president Jun Ramirez said.

“Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) chief, Gen. Romeo Brawner Jr., has confirmed this strategy, envisioning the formation of a maritime militia. This body will primarily be sourced from the AFP’s reserve force, including potential candidates from the fisherfolk community, thereby fortifying the link between defense operations and grassroots participation,” the statement read.

According to the FFW, it strongly supports the AFP’s initiative, underscoring the vital role of citizen participation in defense strategies.

“The collective responsibility to defend our nation transcends the military or our navy. It rests with every Filipino,” Alfredo Maranan of FFW said.

“The FFW fervently believes that empowering citizen soldiers is pivotal in asserting our national rights and interests,” Maranan added.

“This grassroots approach not only enhances our maritime defenses but also deepens our collective commitment to preserving the integrity and sovereignty of the Philippine territories.”

But fisherfolk on Pag-asa Island are against the AFP’s plan for the deployment of militia forces.

In a radio interview, Pag-asa Island Fisherfolk Association president Larry Hugo said fishermen can only offer information if there are incidents of harassment perpetrated by the Chinese Coast Guard (CCG) and militia.

“It (tapping them as militia forces) will be difficult for us as fishermen. It is enough for us to report incidents (of harassment),” Hugo said.

Hugo went viral on social media in 2001 after the CCG tried to ram his boat.

In an earlier interview with The STAR, Hugo noted that despite the attention sparked by his experience, the same problem still confronts fisherfolk on Pag-asa Island.

“We have yet to receive the proposal… but we will not agree as it is very dangerous… We will not arm ourselves,” he added.

Hugo said that until now, fishing boats still avoid the sandbars near Pag-asa Island for fear of encountering CCG or militia vessels. — Bella Cariaso