Senator Francis Tolentino’s proposal to play Filipino songs only at night near areas in the contested West Philippine Sea will come into reality with the establishment of Radyo Bandera in Pag-asa island, the municipality of Kalayaan.
The proposed opening of Radyo Bandera station in Kalayaan was already approved by the Regional Peace and Order Council of MIMAROPA.
During its recent meeting, the council discussed the importance of establishing a local radio station in the island municipality, which is within the West Philippine Sea.
City Councilor Elgin Damasco manifested his willingness to donate equipment to facilitate the establishment of a radio station.
Once established, the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) Western Command will manage the local station in Kalayaan in conformity with the programming system of Radyo Bandera Network.
Senator Tolentino said the radio station in the West Philippine Sea could become the Philippines’ version of the “Voice of America.” He further said that our opponents should hear all Filipino songs so they would know they are in Philippine territory.
Kalayaan is part of the Spratly Group of Islands, situated within the contested West Philippine Sea. It consists of a single barangay located on Pag-asa Island, which also serves as the seat of the municipal government. It is the least populated municipality in the country with only an estimated population of above 200.
President Ferdinand E. Marcos created the Municipality of Kalayaan by signing Presidential Decree 159 in 1978.