GENERAL SANTOS CITY (PIA) — Commodore Jay Tristan Tarriela, the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) spokesperson for the West Philippine Sea, emphasized the importance of Filipino unity in defending the country’s territorial rights.
In his keynote message at the Multi-Sectoral Forum on the West Philippine Sea at SM City General Santos Atrium on Aug. 29, Tarriela clarified the distinction between the West Philippine Sea and the South China Sea, saying the West Philippine Sea refers to the Philippines’ exclusive economic zone from Batanes to Palawan.
“Ang West Philippine Sea, hindi ito dapat pag-agawan, dahil ito ay pag-aari ng Pilipino,” Tarriela asserted.
(The West Philippine Sea is not something to be fought over; it belongs to Filipinos.)
Tarriela emphasized President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s commitment to educating every Filipino about the country’s fight to protect its recognized economic zone and uphold the rule of law in the WPS.
“Kung maaalala niyo ang state of the nation address, ang kauna-unahang state of the nation address ni Pangulong Bong Bong Marcos, ang sabi niya he is not going to surrender a square inch of our territory to any country. However, kailangan niya ng isang nagkakaisang Sambayanang Pilipino,” he said.
(President Marcos has made it clear that he will not surrender a single inch of our territory to any country. But for this, he needs a united Filipino nation.)
The Philippine government, in partnership with the Presidential Communications Office (PCO) and the Philippine Information Agency (PIA), has initiated a “transparency initiative” to provide accurate information about the developments in the West Philippine Sea.
Tarriela, who was with PIA Director General Jose A. Torres Jr., underscored the importance of this initiative, noting that it not only raises awareness but also ignites patriotism across the country.
Torres discussed the role of PIA in the transparency initiative, highlighting the agency’s crucial role in communicating the government’s efforts in the WPS to the general public, especially the grassroots communities.
“It is also the objective of the president to make sure na ang buong mundo ay magkaroon ng tamang kaalaman sa maling gawain ng China sa West Philippine Sea (that the entire world becomes aware of China’s wrongful actions in the West Philippine Sea),” Tarriela stated, emphasizing the need for cooperation with like-minded countries that uphold international law, human rights, and democracy.
Moreover, he pointed out the ongoing challenges posed by China’s disregard for international law and stressed that this issue affects not only the Philippines but the global community as well.
In his concluding remarks, Tarriela addressed the spread of misinformation that discourages the country’s efforts to defend the West Philippine Sea, particularly concerns about potential conflict with China.
“Sinasabi na huwag na nating tindigan ang laban sa West Philippine Sea dahil magkakagiyera, huwag na nating labanan ang China dahil talo tayo, huwag na nating ipaglaban ang West Philippine Sea dahil hindi atin ito. Ito ang mga dahilan kung bakit ako kasama ang PIA, ang PCO ay umiikot sa buong bansa para magpakalat ng tamang impormasyon dahil ang laban po natin ng West Philippine Sea cannot be solved by our government alone,” he said, reinforcing the government’s commitment to the cause.
(They say we should stop standing up for the West Philippine Sea because it will lead to war, that we shouldn’t fight China because we will lose, and that we shouldn’t defend the West Philippine Sea because it’s not ours. These are the reasons why, together with the PIA and the PCO, I am traveling around the country to spread accurate information, because our fight for the West Philippine Sea cannot be solved by our government alone.)
In closing, Tarriela reminded the audience that the fight for the West Philippine Sea is not just about President Marcos or the military, but for the Filipinos and future generations.
“Ang laban ng West Philippine Sea ay hindi lamang laban ni President Bongbong Marcos, hindi lamang laban ito ng Philippine Coast Guard at ng Armed Forces of the Philippines, ito ay laban nating lahat bilang Pilipino,” he pointed out, urging the nation to stand united in the defense of the country’s territorial rights for the benefit of future generations.
(The fight for the West Philippine Sea is not just the fight of President Bongbong Marcos, not just the fight of the Philippine Coast Guard and the Armed Forces of the Philippines; this is a fight for all of us as Filipinos.)
The forum was organized by the Philippine Information Agency in partnership with the local government of General Santos City and SM City General Santos, bringing together various sectors – from the government institutions, indigenous peoples community, religious groups, youth, academe, student leadership bodies and campus journalists, civic society organizations, and the media – to discuss the significance of the West Philippine Sea to the nation. (HJF – PIA SarGen)
