CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY (PIA)–Cagayan de Oro City will host the Mindanao leg of the nationwide advocacy run, “Takbo Para sa West Philippine Sea,” on September 8, 2024, to rally public support for the Philippines’ efforts in safeguarding its sovereignty and maritime rights in the West Philippine Sea (WPS).
Coast Guard Commodore Jay Tarriela, spokesperson for the National Task Force for the West Philippine Sea, said that the run, divided into three legs, concludes in Cagayan de Oro.
He asserted that it is more than just a fun run; it symbolizes solidarity with the Philippines’ stance on the WPS dispute.
“This initiative responds to public interest in contributing to the cause. Proceeds from the event will fund the development of information and educational materials to support the government’s campaign to protect the disputed area. At the same time, the revenue from the WPS Run will support reprinting our comic book project, which contains vital information about the WPS, the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), the Arbitral Award, and the national government’s efforts to defend our position,” Tarriela said.
He stressed that President Ferdinand Marcos, Jr. prioritizes disseminating accurate information to unify and strengthen national support for the West Philippine Sea. By keeping both the nation and the international community informed, the government hopes to gain broader support.
“The most important aspect is securing support from the international community. They can’t support us if they’re unaware of what’s happening in the West Philippine Sea. With the right information, we’re now seeing an influx of support,” he added.
Despite challenges posed by China’s actions against Filipino fishermen and coastguards, Tarriela assured that peaceful and diplomatic talks remain the Marcos administration’s priority. The Department of National Defense continues coordinating with international allies to ensure the country’s actions follow a rules-based order and comply with international law.
Additionally, President Marcos focuses on enhancing the country’s economic resilience by engaging with foreign leaders and attracting investors, aiming to mitigate potential economic repercussions from China’s coercive tactics.
In light of these efforts, the Philippine Coast Guard urges all Filipinos to unite and support the government’s initiatives to protect the Philippines’ sovereignty over the West Philippine Sea.
Interested participants in the Mindanao leg of “Takbo Para sa West Philippine Sea” can register at https://bit.ly/takbo-para-sa-wps. (JAKA/PIA10)
