The Philippine Information Agency, in partnership with the National Youth Commission, Philippine Coast Guard, and Tarlac State University, held a student forum about territorial and maritime rights on the disputed West Philippine Sea on Tuesday (March 18) at the TSU Gymnasium.
Dubbed "Kilos Kabataan para sa West Philippine Sea," PIA is targeting to conduct the forum among the 16 regions, with TSU as the host university for the Central Luzon leg.
The forum aims to amplify information dissemination and increase awareness about the West Philippine Sea within the 200-nautical-mile Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) on the Philippine shores and 124 nautical miles west of Zambales.
Commodore Jay Tristan Tarriela, spokesperson of the PCG for the West Philippine Sea, discussed the country's Transparency Strategy in the West Philippine Sea.
He also mentioned China's claim of nine-dash-line, but it was debunked due to lack of basis. Furthermore, the PCG WPS spokesperson emphasized China's aggression to take over the West Philippine Sea, which does not honor the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Seas (UNCLOS), and continued harassment of fisherfolks and media even after the Philippines won an arbitration case against China in 2016.
“What the Chinese government is doing is they're continuously violating the international (law) at patuloy na binubully ang ating sandatahang lakas,” Commodore Tarriela said.
National Youth Commission's Asec. Karl Josef Legazpi, Commissioner-at-Large; PIA Director-General Katherine Chloe De Castro; PIA Central Luzon Regional Director William Beltran; and PIA Central Luzon Assistant Regional Director Carlo Lorenzo Datu joined Commodore Tarriela in the forum's discussion proper.
"If we choose to be silent, we choose to surrender. If we choose to be different, we choose to let others dictate our future. But, if we choose to fight for the West Philippine Sea, for our people, for our country, then we are choosing to be Filipinos worthy of fighting for our ancestors," Asec. Legazpi said in his discussion.
In raising public awareness, PIA Director-General De Castro highlighted the presence of an information disorder surrounding the West Philippine Sea issue.
“Ito ay napakahalagang pagkakataon upang palawakin ang ating pang-unawa sa napakahalagang usapin ng West Philippine Sea. Nagkasundo na palakasin ang transparency and awareness para sa mga kabataan. Bahagi ng aming misyon ay ang pagtuturo ng media and information literacy upang matutunan nating suriin ang impormasyon at labanan ang lumalaganap na fake news. War against misinformation, disinformation, and malinformation is far from being over," PIA Director-General De Castro said.
Commodore Tarriela said part of the transparency approach is the involvement of the Armed Forces of the Philippines and the Department of Justice in providing real-time updates regarding the situations of the country's defenders. Addressing the public about the WPS issue is not just limited to the Department of Foreign Affairs.
Moreover, according to Commodore Tarriela, former President Rodrigo Duterte decided not to disclose the full details of the situation at the West Philippine Sea during his term. Only three incidents were made public, including the two boats bound for Ayungin Shoal that were water cannoned and blocked, the presence of Chinese maritime militia ships in Julian Felipe Reef, and the sinking of vessels in the South China Sea.
"Reach out to international communities, not just to get support to the modernization of the AFP and the capability development, but primarily to inform the international community that there is this country which is the People's Republic of China na patuloy na vina-violate ang international law; na patuloy sine-set aside ang UNCLOS at ang 2016 arbitral ruling. As we are all aware, the international law should be (an) equalizer component. Whether you are big or small, pagdating sa international law, it doesn't matter, the size," Commodore Tarriela said.
TSU President Dr. Arnold E. Velasco recognized the essence of holding such a forum for the students, especially the youth's role in understanding and upholding the country's rights over territorial waters.
"This seminar will deepen our knowledge, challenge our views, and inspire meaningful discussions with the experts. We are deeply appreciative that the Philippine Information Agency has chosen our humble university to enlighten the youth on this pressing issue," Pres. Velasco said.
“Hinihikayat ko ang mga TSUians upang makiisa sa mga diskusyon at pag-aaral, makinig sa ating mga tagapagsalita na eksperto sa mga kani-kanilang larangan, at ipahayag ang inyong mga saloobin,” he added.
According to PIA III RD Beltran, they are targeting to tap third-party groups or partners who could voluntarily inform the public on the issue, similar to what the PIA has been doing.
"It's not just about the government doing everything for the West Philippine Sea. 'Yung West Philippine Sea kasi is a concern of every Filipino. So, as much as we would like to make partnerships, it is a challenge. But of course, with the help of our present partners, mas mapapagaan pa 'yung trabaho natin with our partners in this advocacy," RD Beltran said.
TSU is the second state university to be visited by the group, with the first forum conducted at Cagayan State University. After TSU, the group will run the same forum in Calamba, Laguna and the Polytechnic University of the Philippines.
They also plotted schedules in Sorsogon, Legaspi, Ilocos, and Iloilo. (jlmm-OPA)
