CEBU CITY, Cebu (PIA) — The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) once again has called on the Filipino people to support the government’s actions in asserting the nation’s sovereign rights over the West Philippine Sea (WPS).
In a press conference in Dumaguete City on Sept. 5, PCG spokesperson for West Philippine Sea, Commodore Jay Tristan Tarriela, emphasized the significance of public support in boosting the government’s efforts in protecting the WPS.
Tarriela also highlighted the vital role of the media in disseminating accurate information for the public, especially the young Filipinos, to fully comprehend the issues surrounding the WPS.
“Tulungan sana ninyo ang gobyerno para maintindihan ng mga pilipino na ang laban ng West Philippine Sea, hindi lamang laban ng mga taga maynila, hindi lamang laban ni Pangulong Bongbong Marcos, but for each Filipino who understands, kahit taga saan ka, ang laban ng West Philippine Sea ay laban nating lahat ito bilang Pilipino,” Tarriela said.
(I hope you continue to help the government so that Filipinos will understand that the fight for the West Philippine Sea is not only a fight of the Manila people, or the fight of Pres. Bongbong Marcos, but for each Filipino to understand that no matter where you are from, the fight for the West Philippine Sea is the fight of all Filipinos)
According to Tarriela, in joining the fight for the West Philippine Sea, it is important for the public to adhere to the factual narrative to prevent being victimized by misinformation on WPS.
The government’s policy in dealing with WPS is anchored on the ‘transparency strategy,’ which is also crucial in gaining support from the neighboring countries in Southeast Asia.
The PCG spokesperson also stressed that they have tapped various partners in effectively communicating the government’s efforts across different sectors for them to appreciate the fight for the nation’s sovereignty over the West Philippine Sea.
“The PCG has partnered with the Philippine Information Agency (PIA) and the National Youth Commission (NYC) to support the government’s efforts in engaging the youth. It is very important for us to make our youth recognize our fight in the West Philippine Sea,” Tarriela said.
“Our goal now is to hold the line for the next generation of Filipinos to continue the fight, to make sure that the youth tomorrow will still fight for the West Philippine Sea,” he added.
Tarriela reiterated that under the Marcos administration, the PCG will continue fulfilling its constitutional duty in supporting the national government in its fight for the West Philippine Sea and will not yield any portion of the country’s territory to any foreign power.
“Sana ma realize nating lahat na ang laban ng West Philippine Sea ay laban ng bawat Pilipino,” the PCG official said.
(I hope we all realize that the fight for the West Philippine Sea is a fight for every Filipino.)
After the press conference, the PCG held a campus engagement activity at Silliman University where Tarriela met with more than 300 students in Dumaguete City. (RGC/PIA-7 Cebu)
