Manila, Philippines – Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) Spokesperson for the West Philippine Sea Commodore Jay Tarriela denounces Acting Davao City Acting Mayor Baste Duterte’s statement regarding the Philippines’ position in the West Philippine Sea.
Duterte said that what his father, former President Rodrigo Duterte, is promoting is an independent foreign policy.
Duterte also said that the position of the administration of President Ferdinand Marcos in the West Philippine Sea was mandated by the United States, comparing the previous administration’s dependence on China.
However, Tarriela defended, saying that Beijing is clearly violating international laws when it comes to Philippine waters, and insisted that the current administration was not orchestrated by Washington.
According to Tarriela, the decision of the Marcos administration was not manipulated by other countries but based on diplomatic protests and multilateral advocacy.
Based on a recent survey by Pulse Asia, more than ninety percent of Filipinos believe that the government should defend Philippine sovereignty against China.
Meanwhile, various organizations inaugurated the mural wall at the Manila North Cemetery titled Fight for Our West Philippine Sea.
It was led by Herbert Antonio Martinez, Chairman and Founder of the BLESSED Movement, together with National Youth Commission Chairperson Jeff Ortega, under the MANAMo Wall Project.
Also joining in is Filipino’s Do Not Yield Movement Chairman Emeritus Dr. Jose Antonio Goitia, who said they continue to condemn China’s harassment of Philippine ships in the West Philippine Sea.
The mural intends to show the nationalism and unity of Filipino youth in defending the country’s rights and sovereignty.—Alvin Pelobello, Eurotv News