FILIPINO voters should elect candidates who support President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.'s firm stance in protecting the West Philippine Sea (WPS).

During the Saturday News Forum in Quezon City, Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) spokesman for the WPS, Commo. Jay Tarriela, said candidates who are "pro-China" must not win in the May 12 midterm polls.

"Ang position ko po pagdating sa usapin ng West Philippine Sea, hindi ito usaping politikal. Ang pinag-uusapan natin, West Philippine Sea, usapin natin lahat ito bilang Pilipino (My position when it comes to the West Philippine Sea issue, it is not a political issue. What we are talking about here is the West Philippine Sea. It is an issue for all of us as Filipinos), regardless of who you are supporting, whether you are supporters of the former admin or the current admin," Tarriela said.

"Let this be a learning experience for us, to make sure that those people who will be elected in May are those senators, congressmen and local government executives na susuporta at titindigan ang laban ni Pangulong Bongbong Marcos pagdating sa usapin ng West Philippine Sea (who will support and defend President Bongbong Marcos' fight when it comes to the WPS?)" he added.

Tarriela said it is important for Filipino voters to know if the candidates are in favor of defending the WPS, [or] just pretending to be supportive of Marcos' policy on Philippine waters or brave enough to show their support for China amid the tensions in the disputed waters.

"This is the only time that we're going to have a national election midterm na ang West Philippine Sea, may kamalayan na ang bawat Pilipino (wherein each Filipino is aware of the West Philippine Sea issue)," Tarriela said.

"So, if we're going to elect senators, congressmen or even local government executives, siguraduhin nating wala ni isa sa mga ito ang uupo dahil pro-China sila, dahil hindi sila pro-Philippines at hindi nila sinasaalang-alang ang ating Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) at (let's make sure none of them are elected because they are pro-China, because they are not pro-Philippines, and they don't consider the welfare of our Armed Forces of the Philippines and) Philippine Coast Guard, and ordinary fishermen," he added.

He also raised concern over working with lawmakers or local chief executives who think that the WPS issue is "not a priority."

He said it would be "very difficult" for the AFP to push its modernization efforts and for the PCG to acquire new vessels if those who win the elections would not support the current administration's policy on WPS.