BAGUIO CITY (PIA) — The Philippine government continues to implement transparency strategy in the West Philippine Sea.
Philippine Coast Guard spokesperson for the West Philippine Sea Commodore Jay Tarriela said the strategy entails the publication of the People’s Republic of China’s unlawful activities, aggressive behavior, and bullying tactics.
Tarriela, during the special meeting of the Cordillera Regional Peace and Order Council on July 26, 2024, said the transparency strategy aims to raise awareness among the Filipino people, equip them with accurate information, and garner support for the national government’s efforts in the West Philippine Sea.
“We have transformed the way the Philippines addresses the reporting of incidents in the West Philippine Sea. We have shifted from silently enduring bullying tactics to adopting much more assertive approach in narrating and exposing illegal actions of China. This allows the Filipino people to the first-hand factual narrative coming from the national government,” Tarriela stated.
He added that the national government also wants the international community to understand what is really happening and how China behaves in the West Philippine Sea.
He mentioned that their effort has gained traction with many countries now reaching out to the Philippines for defense cooperation, and there is growing support for the modernization of the Armed Forces of the Philippines and the capability building of the PCG.
This support not only strengthens our capabilities but also underscores the international community’s recognition of the importance of upholding international law and maintaining a rule-based order, Tarriela said.
Tarriela added that disclosing the Chinese aggression in the West Philippine Sea has also effectively raised awareness among Filipinos, uniting them in recognizing the unlawful actions in the Philippine waters.
“The national government’s disclosure of Chinese aggression in the West Philippine Sea has effectively raised public awareness among our country men. The Filipinos united in recognizing unlawful action in the West Philippine Sea, he shared.”
Tarriela said China’s aggressive action in utilizing their social media platforms and creating trolls for their lies and misinformation shows that the Philippines is also gaining in factual narratives.
In 2016, the arbitral tribunal adjudicating the Philippines’ case against China in the South China Sea ruled in favor of the Philippines, determining the major elements of China’s claim—including its nine-dash line, land reclamation activities, and other activities in Philippine waters—were unlawful. However, China continues to take assertive steps to defend its position. (DEG-PIA CAR)
