ni Angela Fernando - Trainee @News | March 31, 2024
Pinirmahan ni Pangulong Ferdinand Marcos Jr. ang Executive Order no. 57 na may layong palakasin ang seguridad sa karagatan ng 'Pinas at maritime sa gitna ng agresyon ng China sa West Philippine Sea (WPS), ayon sa Presidential Communications Office (PCO) nitong Linggo.
Binigyang-diin din ni Marcos ang pangangailangang palakasin ang seguridad sa karagatan at taasan ang kamalayan sa larangan ng maritime sa gitna ng hamon na nagbabanta sa integridad ng teritoryo ng bansa at sa mapayapang pamumuhay ng mga Pinoy.
"Despite efforts to promote stability and security in our maritime domain, the Philippines continues to confront a range of serious challenges that threaten not only the country's territorial integrity, but also the peaceful existence of Filipinos, including their fundamental right to live in peace and freedom, free from fear of violence and threat," saad niya.
Dagdag pa ni Marcos, "Strengthening the country's maritime security and domain awareness is imperative to comprehensively tackle the crosscutting issues that impact the nation's national security, sovereignty, sovereign rights, and maritime jurisdiction over its extensive maritime zones."
Sa ilalim ng EO 57, binago at inayos ang National Coast Watch Council bilang National Maritime Council (NMC) na pinamumunuan ni Executive Sec. Lucas Bersamin.