Tarriela invites Marcoleta on flight over Kalayaan Island Group

MANILA — Philippine Coast Guard Commodore Jay Tarriela, the agency's spokesperson for the West Philippine Sea, is inviting Sen. Rodante Marcoleta to join a Maritime Domain Awareness (MDA) flight to the Kalayaan Island Group.

In a tweet on Saturday, Tarriela said he would be happy to arrange and even join the flight.

Marcoleta drew flak after suggesting in a Senate hearing that the Philippines give up the Kalayaan Island Group, which he said is outside the Philippine exclusive economic zone anyway. 

Marcoleta has defended the comment, saying he had been taken out of context.

"Let us give Sen. Marcoleta a chance. I am sure that he is truly a patriotic public servant who can stand for our rights in the West Philippine Sea. I suggest that the good senator join the MDA flight to the Kalayaan Island Group in the future," Tarriela said in a tweet.

"He does not have to worry; I can arrange it, and I would be happy to join the operation as well. I am sure that the people of Pag-asa will be happy to welcome you, Sen. Marcoleta," he added.

Maritime law expert slams Marcoleta’s call to give up Kalayaan islands

'LET'S JUST GIVE UP THE KIG'

Several lawmakers, maritime law experts, and defense analysts slammed have Marcoleta's statements.

"Ang gawin po natin para madali, give up natin yung KIG, then ma-cocoordinate na natin lahat, but until and unless nandoon ng KIG, nasa labas nga po ng exclusive economic zone, paano po mailalagay sa West Philippine Sea?" Marcoleta said during a Thursday hearing of the Commission on Appointments.

(What we should do, to make it easier, is give up the KIG, then we can coordinate everything. But until and unless the KIG is there, which is outside the exclusive economic zone, how can that be in the West Philippine Sea?)

Marcoleta told ABS-CBN News that his statements were taken out of context.

Pag-asa Island, which is the largest inhabited Philippine territory in the Kalayaan Island Group, is home to a small community of Filipinos and is part of the Municipality of Kalayaan in Palawan.

While outside the EEZ, being an inhabited island means it generates a territorial sea, where the Pag-asa Cays are found.

DFA to China embassy: Pag-asa is Philippine territory

The senator's son, Sagip Party-List Rep. Paolo Henry Marcoleta, has also been quoted in news reports as saying Tarriela and unnamed "arrogant" senators should be sent to the front lines in case of a conflict with China. 

"Every member of the uniformed services—the Armed Forces of the Philippines, the Philippine Coast Guard, and the Philippine National Police—stationed in the Kalayaan Island Group stands ready to lay down our lives and fight to the last drop of blood for these future generation and the people of the Municipality of Kalayaan," Tarriela said Saturday.

"They are Filipinos, and the island they live on is part of the Philippines. We will never surrender the Kalayaan Island Group," Tarriela added.

On Pag-asa, hope and fighting spirit keep far-flung island community afloat

Pag-asa Island has a school, a clinic, a fishing community, and even a Comelec office where residents can vote.

The nearby islands of Lawak and Patag have military camps for uniformed personnel.

"If you are unwilling to defend it and are prepared to give it up—especially if you hold public office—you should remember the oath you swore when you assumed your position," Tarriela ended.

Sen. Marcoleta has yet to respond to the invitation as of the moment.

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