MANILA, March 25 -- Senator Francis Tolentino on Monday urged the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) to establish research and development alliances with maritime countries as a means of mobilizing international support after last Saturday's water cannon attack on the Philippine resupply mission in the West Philippine Sea.

"To those countries with which the Philippines have no alliance through treaties or our allies in defense, pacts, or treaties, we can have joint exercises for peaceful marine science research and development," Tolentino said in a statement.

He cited Norway as an example of a country that has extensive experience in science and research on marine resources but with no defense treaty with the Philippines.

The Netherla...