Filipinos should unite behind the nation and its government as Philippine sailors continue to experience harassment from the Chinese Coast Guard while on peaceful missions in the West Philippine Sea.

This was the call of alumni officials of the National Defense College of the Philippines or NDCP, stressing that the public should remain vigilant and well-informed amid growing tensions inside the country's territorial waters.

Capt. Aldrin Cuña, the Secretary General of the NDCP Alumni Association Inc. (NDCPAAI), released the group's statement stressing that "not only is it our right but our duty to protect it when parties launch aggressive acts to challenge our sovereignty and curb our activities over what is legally ours."

"The West Philippine Sea is of great importance to our nation, future and children – their inheritance we should not lose during our watch," the NDCPAAI statement read.

The statement was released after two Chinese Coast Guard ships rammed a Philippine Coast Guard ship and a military-run supply boat within Philippine territorial waters on Sunday, 22 October.

The Chinese Coast Guard claimed that it was the Philippine ships who were the "aggressors," but Defense Secretary Gilbert Teodoro fired back, saying "the Chinese government is deliberately obfuscating the truth."

The NDCPAAI seconded Secretary Teodoro, saying that "not only are our ships being rammed, the truth that is on our side is being pummeled too."

"The best defense against falsehood are facts which we can learn by educating ourselves about what our country's rights are over West Philippine Sea and the legitimacy of our actions there," the association said.

However, the NDCPAAI emphasized that "diplomacy in search for principled peaceful solution is of equal importance," but this can only be achieved if "a united citizenry is behind the government."

"We thus call on our fellow Filipinos, regardless of political affiliations, to put aside our differences and rally around our country's cause. As we maintain a credible defense posture, we must engage in constructive dialogue and nurture cordial and conflict-free peaceful solutions, guided by international law and our commitment to upholding justice and fairness," the association said.

"By pursuing these multiple tracks, we project a stance that is strong at home and supported by the people and respected abroad and recognized by the community of nations as just and right," it stressed.