MANILA, Philippines — A former member of the Duterte Cabinet on Friday said the country’s next president should “vigorously defend” the West Philippine Sea (WPS) to avoid losing more in the disputed region.
According to former socioeconomic planning chief Ernesto Pernia, the country has been “losing much in WPS” that the leader who succeeds Duterte should focus on the issue.
“We’ve been losing much in WPS, and we could lose more. Our next leader must vigorously defend what’re ours. No ifs and buts!” he said on Twitter.
We’ve been losing much in WPS, and we could lose more. Our next leader must vigorously defend what’re ours. No ifs and buts!
— Ernesto M. Pernia (@SecPernia) May 28, 2021
Pernia’s tweet prompted some replies implying whether the current leader — his former boss, Pr…
Keep on reading: Ex-Duterte Cabinet exec says next president must ‘vigorously defend’ West PH Sea