The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) has invited Senator Rodante Marcoleta to visit the Kalayaan Island Group (KIG) in Palawan for a Maritime Domain Awareness (MDA) briefing, following the senator’s controversial remarks on the West Philippine Sea.
PCG spokesperson for the West Philippine Sea Commodore Jay Tarriela extended the invitation Saturday night in a post on X.
“Let us give Senator Marcoleta a chance,” Tarriela said.
Tarriela described Marcoleta as a “patriotic public servant who can stand for our rights in the West Philippine Sea,” adding that he is willing to arrange a flight exclusively for the senator to personally see conditions in the area.
He also said residents of Kalayaan would be glad to welcome Marcoleta.
The invitation came after Marcoleta, during a Senate Committee on National Defense hearing, suggested that the Philippines should give up the Kalayaan Island Group, arguing that some portions of the area lie outside the country’s exclusive economic zone.
Marcoleta later said his remarks were taken out of context.
Tensions between the two escalated after Marcoleta criticized Tarriela, particularly the PCG official’s social media posts condemning China and Chinese President Xi Jinping.
In two regular Senate sessions, Marcoleta reiterated his call for the Philippines to stop what he described as “provocations” against China, urging the government not to let “fire fight against flame” in dealing with Beijing.