The National Intelligence Coordinating Agency (NICA) will focus in the West Philippine Sea (WPS) amid the Philippines’ ongoing territorial dispute with China.
“We have to view everything and integrate, harmonize our efforts. We cannot just isolate ourselves and say bahala na diyan sa ano [whatever happens, happens],” National Intelligence Coordinating Agency (NICA) Director General-designate Ricardo de Leon, in a GMA News report, said.
De Leon was responding to questions on providing more resources for intelligence-gathering for WPS instead of just being surprised by the presence of Chinese vessels there.
The official further pointed out that the AFP Modernization Program “should be sustained as equipment and facilities are needed to improve intelligence capabilities.
He expressed confidence that President-elect Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. would be on board for this.”
He said he would also focus on “expanding intelligence efforts to other countries as the security issues of other countries may also affect the Philippines,” adding that he is aiming to “improve intelligence efforts in the local level, including barangays.”
De Leon asserted that the validation on intelligence information in the government’s anti-drug war campaign should also be refined, GMA News reported.
“Kasi lahat ng mga information dapat validated, so yung validation process (because all information should be violated, so the validation process] needs to be improved,” he said, in the report.
The official also noted that with better intelligence capabilities, drug lords can be arrested through case buildup and manhunt operations.