SAN JOSE, Antique (PIA) -- Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) spokesperson for the West Philippine Sea (WPS) Commo. Jay Tarriela called on the Filipino youth to speak up on the West Philippine Sea dispute.

Speaking at the strategic communications workshop with the Philippine Information Agency, Tarriela expressed hope for the Filipino youth to become concerned with the nation’s ongoing dispute in the West Philippine Sea and voice out their support for the government’s efforts to assert the 2016 arbitral ruling invalidating China’s claim over the entire South China Sea, which includes the West Philippine Sea.

to finally respect and uphold internationally recognized maritime law for the sake of regional peace and stability.

For University of Antique (UA) students Manilyn Valentin and Jeizel Rieve Pillado, despite the daily struggles of Filipinos, everyone must take an interest in and be concerned about the West Philippine Sea, whose riches are shared by all Filipinos, as enshrined in the government’s slogan, “Sa West Philippine Sea, ang Yaman nito ay para sa Pilipino!”

Valentin and Pillado added that it is important for young people to participate in discourses and air support for the government’s stance in the WPS because, more than the economic aspect, the country’s security and sovereignty are on the line—matters that should not be disregarded nor turned a blind eye to.

As part of its efforts to engage the youth on matters concerning the West Philippine Sea, the National Intelligence Coordinating Agency (NICA), in partnership with the Philippine Information Agency (PIA) Regional Office 6 launches an essay-writing and poster-making contest open to high school and college students. (Photo: PIA Western Visayas)

Citing that Filipinos in the past courageously fought for and laid down their lives to secure the Philippines that is today, Tarriela stressed that Filipinos of this era must do the same to protect the country from those who wish to take even an inch of its lands and waters.

Tarriela said that with truthful information through the government’s transparency strategy, the Philippines will get much-needed support from its citizens from across all sectors of society, especially the youth, through whom the future of this country lies. (AGP/BPS/PIA Antique)