(Christian Esguerra Youtube Channel screengrab)

MANILA, (PIA) -- Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) Commodore Jay Tarriela, spokesperson for the National Task Force for the West Philippine Sea (NTF-WPS), has emerged as a vocal and fearless critic of China's expansive territorial claims and actions in the disputed waters of the South China Sea.

In "Facts First with Christian Esguerra" premiering Monday, March 18, at 7 p.m., titled "Bakit matapang si Commodore Jay Tarriela laban sa China?" (Why is Commodore Jay Tarriela Brave Against China?), Tarriela is expected to discuss his unwavering stance in the face of pro-China trolls, propagandists, and influence operations. To watch, here's the link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UXi2LsmV3dg

The South China Sea territorial dispute has been an ongoing source of tension between the Philippines and China. Despite a 2016 international arbitration ruling that invalidated China's sweeping claims in the resource-rich waters, Beijing has continued to assert its control over the region through the construction of artificial islands and the deployment of maritime militia vessels.

Tarriela, a seasoned Coast Guard officer, has emerged as a prominent voice in the Philippines' efforts to counter China's aggressive actions in the West Philippine Sea, the country's exclusive economic zone in the South China Sea.

"We must confront the realities of the situation head-on," Tarriela said in a recent statement. "China's blatant disregard for international law and its bullying tactics cannot be tolerated. It is our duty to defend our maritime rights and sovereignty."

The Coast Guard spokesperson has been unafraid to call out China's actions, often using blunt language and presenting irrefutable evidence to support the Philippines' claims. His vocal stance has made him a target of online attacks from pro-China trolls and propagandists seeking to discredit and silence his efforts and that of the Marcos administration.

However, Tarriela remains undeterred, vowing to continue speaking truth to power and exposing China's attempts to mislead and manipulate public opinion.

"We must fight disinformation with facts," he said. "The Filipino people deserve to know the truth about what is happening in our waters, and we will not be intimidated by those who seek to obscure it."

In the upcoming video conversation, hosted by a prominent media organization, Tarriela is expected to delve deeper into the challenges he faces in confronting China's influence operations and the tactics he employs to counter them effectively.

The broadcast promises to shed light on the complexities of the territorial dispute and the crucial role played by individuals like Tarriela in defending the Philippines' maritime interests.

As the South China Sea issue continues to simmer, Tarriela's unwavering courage and commitment to exposing the truth have made him a symbol of the Philippines' determination to protect its sovereign rights in the face of China's expansionist ambitions. (JCO/PIA-NCR)