𝗖𝗲𝗻𝗣𝗘𝗚: 𝗗𝗲𝗳𝗲𝗻𝗱 𝗣𝗵𝗶𝗹𝗶𝗽𝗽𝗶𝗻𝗲 𝗦𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗿𝗲𝗶𝗴𝗻𝘁𝘆 𝗔𝗺𝗶𝗱 𝗥𝗶𝘀𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗚𝗹𝗼𝗯𝗮𝗹 𝗧𝗲𝗻𝘀𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀

MANILA — As the Philippines marks its 127th Independence Day, the Center for People Empowerment in Governance (CenPEG) issued a strong call for the defense of Philippine sovereignty amid escalating global tensions and great power rivalries that threaten to undermine the country’s independence and security.

In its Independence Day statement, CenPEG stressed that while Filipinos commemorate their long and arduous struggle for freedom, dignity, and sovereignty, serious challenges persist—especially with the growing rivalry of major powers in the Indo-Pacific region.

“The world is witnessing the resurgence of great power rivalries—a new Cold War—centered on the Indo-Pacific,” CenPEG said. “Once more, the Philippines faces the danger of being drawn into the geopolitical contest of major powers. Rising tensions in the West Philippine Sea, the expanded presence of foreign military forces through agreements such as the Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement (EDCA), and growing reliance on external security partnerships compromise our nation’s capacity to independently chart its own course in pursuit of national interests.”

For CenPEG, Independence Day is not merely ceremonial but a solemn call to vigilance. “True freedom means that Filipinos—through their democratic will—must have the final say on matters of national security, economic policy, and foreign relations, free from external pressures or interference.”

In this light, CenPEG urged the Philippine government and the Filipino people to:

● Uphold an independent foreign policy that firmly places national interests above foreign alignments;

● Pursue peaceful, diplomatic solutions to maritime and territorial disputes in accordance with international law, particularly the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS);

● Strengthen domestic industries, national defense capabilities, and self-reliant development to reduce economic and security dependence on external powers;

● Promote public education, critical thinking, and media literacy to counter disinformation and foreign influence that undermine national unity and democratic governance.

CenPEG also warned of a much graver global risk arising from the current tensions.

“CenPEG highlights an existential threat not just to us but to the entire world,” said Prof. Roland Simbulan, CenPEG Chair. “The tensions in the South China Sea and Taiwan Straits have put us a hairbreadth away from a miscalculation of grave consequences that threaten human existence in a nuclear Armageddon.”

Prof. Simbulan stressed that "the increasing threat of nuclear war demands that peoples all over the world restrain this escalation and demand a negotiated settlement. Citizen transnational activism can still turn back the tide of wars that can lead to an unintended escalation due to human or computer error."

CenPEG called for the prevention of provocative U.S. and Chinese military operations from triggering a great power war and urged the international community to instead focus on cooperation to address global crises.

“Let us do our share in preventing further tensions and the waste of scarce resources on conflicts. Instead, let us focus, in cooperation with other peoples and nations, on resolving the climate emergency and social inequalities. To prevent a great power war that will threaten human survival is the biggest challenge of our times,” Simbulan added.

CenPEG closed its statement with a reaffirmation of its core advocacy:

𝗙𝗿𝗲𝗲𝗱𝗼𝗺. 𝗦𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗿𝗲𝗶𝗴𝗻𝘁𝘆. 𝗣𝗲𝗮𝗰𝗲. 𝗦𝗲𝗹𝗳-𝗥𝗲𝗹𝗶𝗮𝗻𝗰𝗲.