THE Philippines must initiate key reforms to achieve a truly independent foreign policy, said retired University of the Philippines professor Roland Simbulan at a forum on Friday.
Simbulan added that a truly sovereign Philippines should not only resist foreign influence but also build internal capacity to thrive independently.
He warned that China’s control of the South China Sea was strategic, noting the region serves as a crucial trade route and buffer zone for deterring external threats.
Simbulan said public mobilization was crucial to resisting China’s aggressive territorial claims, as well as questioning the United States’ use of the Philippines as a staging ground for its Indo-Pacific strategy.
By strengthening its economy, resolving internal conflicts, and asserting its rights in the international arena, the Philippines can secure a peaceful and prosperous future for the next generation, he added.
“The path to sovereignty, while fraught with challenges, is a vital endeavor for a Philippines free from the shadow of superpower rivalry,” said Simbulan, who served as chairman of UP’s Department of Social Sciences for six years.
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