Almonte: National identity is key to resolving WPS issue

Almonte: National identity is key to resolving WPS issue

By Anna Estanislao, CNN Philippines

Updated Sat, October 24, 2015

Metro Manila (CNN Philippines) — Jose Almonte has led a colorful life in the military and government.

He's known as the right-hand man of former President Fidel Ramos, serving as the Director-General of the National Security Council.

But the former military officer has also held key positions in under several presidents from Ferdinand Marcos to Corazon Aquino.

And for the coming elections, Almonte believes the presidential candidates need to focus on two issues to move the country forward.

He said, "The maritime entitlements of the Philippines — not just the West Philippine Sea, but our maritime entitlements around the archipelago."

The other is the "wang-wang" mentality or the culture of corruption and abuse of power.

But Almonte acknowledged the efforts of President Benigno Aquino III and what he has done to stop the "wang-wang."

On the territorial dispute in the South China Sea, Almonte believes it is important to educate the Filipino people on this issue.

Almonte said, "Whoever is the president, he cannot manage China without the support of the Filipino people. And the Filipino people cannot support if they do not understand the issue."

He said Beijing's strategy in the South China Sea is an integral part of its global plan in being to become a superpower and possibly replace the United States on world stage.

If China is allowed to control the South China Sea, Almonte said there is no stopping the northeast Asian country from  claiming another nine-dash line in the Western Pacific.

The national security expert believes the decision on the Philippine case before the International Tribunal in the Hague will be irrelevant.

He said world opinion will judge China on the issue.

Almonte also voiced his frustration over the Filipino people's lack of national identity as he stressed the need for presidential candidates to focus on the development of the citizenry.

He said, "For me, a great president is the one who can make the Filipino people great. Then how do you make the Filipino people great? You can only make them great if you can make them strong. You can make them confident about themselves."

Among the top presidential candidates, Almonte's unsure if anyone can solve the country's problems without incorporating these two points in their plans.