Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) spokesperson for the West Philippine Sea, Commodore Jay Tarriela, has invited Senator Rodante Marcoleta and his son, Congressman Paolo Marcoleta, to join a Maritime Domain Awareness (MDA) flight over the Kalayaan Island Group (KIG).
The invitation came after the elder Marcoleta mentioned during a Commission on Appointments hearing that the Kalayaan Island Group should allegedly be “given up.”
In a post on X over the weekend, Tarriela said the senator should be given a chance.
He added that he still believes the lawmaker is a truly patriotic public servant who will stand firm in defending the Philippines’ rights in the West Philippine Sea.
Along with this, Tarriela recommended that Senator Rodante personally join the MDA flight.
According to Tarriela, the senator has nothing to worry about, as he himself would take care of all the arrangements.
He also said he believes the residents of Pag-asa Island would be pleased to welcome the senator.
It can be recalled that Marcoleta earlier clarified his remarks, saying that his detractors were “deliberately abbreviating the context” of his statement.
Meanwhile, aside from the senator, Tarriela also invited his son, Congressman Paolo Marcoleta, to take part in the MDA flight.
This followed the congressman’s statement that he would line up the coast guard spokesperson for combat should a war break out.
Tarriela said it would be an honor to be joined by the Marcoleta father-and-son duo during the visit to the Kalayaan Island Group.
(PHOTO COURTESY: Jay Tarriela | Facebook)
