MANILA Mayor Francisco ‘Isko Moreno’ Domagoso pledged to defend the country’s sovereignty in the West Philippine Sea should he win as president.

“We will be fearless in fighting for what is ours. We will insist the Hague Ruling. But at the same time as being fearless, we are going to be fair with our discussion and management of the situation on both sides,” Domagoso said on Thursday.

“We will be faithful to our farmers and fisherfolks. Ang mga mangingisda, dapat makapangisda sa loob ng ating teritoryo sa dagat. At iyon ang magaganap: undeterred, peaceful, and productive fishing opportunities under our rules,” he added.

Aside from diplomatic negotiations, the mayor said he will modernize the equipment of the Philippine Navy and the Philippine Coast Guard.

“I will reinforce our Navy and Coast Guard. We will invest more on the western side of the country, so that we can protect our sovereignty and territorial jurisdiction as recognized by the UN and all other nations,” Domagoso stressed.

“Ang maganda sa eastern board, wala naman tayong kapitbahay. Sa western board, from Tawi-Tawi to Batanes (meron). That’s how we’re going to do it,” he said.

Domagoso also bared plans to strengthen the country’s Mutual Defense Treaty and Visiting Forces Agreement with the United States.

However, he noted that he is not “currently inclined” to invite the US to reinstall military bases in the Philippines.

“We have to study that. In fact, yesterday, we were in SBMA. It (US military bases) gives us some economic development there, which needs improvement. But bases, actually, sa ngayon, sa totoo lang, dagat lang, okay na. Kasi ang kailangan natin, archipelagic protection. Because we are an archipelagic country,” he pointed out.

Trade treaties and agreements with the country’s regional neighbors, even claimants to the West Philippine Sea and economic rivals of the US, will continue under his administration.

“Treaties will be recognized. Trade with America, Vietnam, China and all other nations will continue because (the) WPS issue is far different from our economic issue in terms of trade. We’ll take that as an opportunity for us to gain, for the people to gain, for the country to gain,” he added.

Meanwhile, Domagoso said the national government’s security spending will focus on “external defense.”

“Bibili tayo ng tingga? Babarilin natin ang kapwa nating Pilipino? I’ll just invest it in the body of water (and) protecting the future of our country, na wag nang mabawasan ‘yung natitira pa.”