Sen. Bong Go issued a call to action to ensure that the country's interests in the West Philippine Sea are safeguarded and further developed on Wednesday, 14 December.

This came following an incident that occurred in November 2022, when the China Coast Guard forcibly collected from a Philippine Coast Guard ship some debris from a Chinese Long March 5B rocket that had fallen within the Pag-asa Islands.

In a short manifestation speech in response to a privilege speech delivered by Senator Francis Tolentino, Go cited Article XII, Section 2 of the Constitution 1987 Philippine Constitution, saying that "[t]he country's national interest and welfare of all Filipinos should always be our paramount consideration when it comes to the West Philippine Sea issue."

The section states that "The State shall protect the nation's marine wealth in its archipelagic waters, territorial sea, and exclusive economic zone, and reserve its use and enjoyment exclusively to Filipino citizens."

"Ito po ang mandato sa atin ng Saligang Batas, ang protektahan, isulong at ipaglaban kung ano ang sa atin," said Go.

Go also emphasized that even former president Rodrigo Duterte has assured our country's right over the West Philippine Sea.

"Mr. President, sa kabila ng masalimu-ot na isyu sa West Philippine Sea, ang interes ng bansa at ng lahat ng Pilipino ang dapat magsilbing gabay sa ating laban," he said.

"Binalanse po ng dating pangulo ang karapatan, kapakanan, at kakayahan ng ating bansa sa usaping ito," he added.

Go acknowledged that the nation is less militarily capable than other claimants to the West Philippine Sea, but he emphasized that it should not cede even a small portion of its territory.

"Maaaring wala po tayong sapat na kakayahan pagdating sa military capability sa ngayon, but we should not give up even an inch of our territory. What is ours is ours. Ipaglaban natin kung ano ang atin," Go stressed.

Having said that, Go has urged restraint and expressed hope that the claimant countries will resolve the dispute through diplomatic means.

"Bilang isang mambabatas, hangad ko na sana lahat ng anumang hindi pagkakaintindihan sa West Philippine Sea ay naidadaan sa maayos at diplomatikong usapan," said Go.

"Mahalaga ang papel ng diplomasya rito at importanteng bukas po tayo sa maayos at tapat na pag-uusap sa ibang bansa. Hindi po natin kakayanin na may madamay, masaktan, or magbuwis ng buhay ng ordinaryong Pilipino sa gusot na ating kinahararap sa isyung ito," he added.

Go also urged the government to advance and defend Filipino rights without using force, which could cost lives.

"Sikapin po natin na maisulong ang ating karapatan ng walang buhay na maisasaalang-alang. Maraming salamat po," concluded Go.