‘Intergenerational’ solutions to territorial, drug woes sought

PRESIDENT Ferdinand R. Marcos’s Jr. is now pushing for an “intergenerational ” solution to the country’s territorial issues and drug problems.

In third State of the Nation Address (Sona) at the Batasang Pambansa Plenary Session Hall, the chief executive said he wants to institutionalize mechanisms to resolve both security concerns.

For illegal drugs, his administration will implement the “8 Es” strategy of the Philippine National Police ( PNP).

The strategy for the includes “engineering the needed structure, education, extraction of information, enforcement, enactment of laws, environment, economics, and evaluation.”

Marcos said the approach has led to a “bloodless war against illegal drugs” resulting in more than 71,500 operations, seizure of more than P40 billion worth of illegal drugs, and the arrest of 97,000 drug personalities.

This contrasted to the “bloody” anti- illegal drug campaign of the Duterte administration, which led to at least 6,000 deaths, and is being investigated by the International Criminal Court.

A similar peaceful long- term solution, Marcos said, will also be in place to address the country’s territorial issues with China in the West Philippine Sea through legislation.

“Laws on our Maritime Zones and Archipelagic Sea Lanes will make sure that this intergenerational mandate— this duty— will firmly take root in the hearts and minds of all our people,” Marcos said.

The chief executive stressed the country will not yield its territory to China or other countries.

“The West Philippine Sea is not just our imagination. It is ours. And this will remain ours as long as the spirit of our beloved country Philippines burns,” Marcos said, drawing applause and a standing ovation.

He also drew wide applause and a standing ovation when he thanked the soldiers defending the country’s maritime rights and the fishermen at the frontl ines of the tug- of- war with China.