11 October 2015 – The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) and the Philippine Information Agency (PIA) held a multi-sectoral advocacy campaign on the West Philippine Sea dispute in the Bicol Region from October 07 to 09.

DFA Spokesperson and Assistant Secretary Charles Jose traveled to Legazpi City and Sorsogon City to conduct lectures and briefings on the West Philippine Sea maritime dispute for various sectors. The talks aim to engage different audiences throughout the region and raise their level of awareness regarding an international issue that has grave implications on the country’s vital interests such as sovereignty, security, and preservation of the marine environment and resources.

Upon his arrival on October 07, the DFA Spokesperson devoted an entire afternoon to engage members of the local media through a press conference held at Hotel St. Ellis. Reporters requested for updates on the arbitration case and expressed their concerns over China’s aggressive and destabilizing actions in the South China Sea/West Philippine Sea and its non-participation in the arbitration case. Assistant Secretary Jose emphasized that the result of the arbitration case will serve as an important step in the peaceful and durable resolution to the maritime dispute. “We want a regional order that is based on the rule of law,” he said.

Assistant Secretary Jose was the lead speaker in the multi-sectoral forum held at Hotel St. Ellis on October 08. He discussed the Philippine narrative on the West Philippine Sea maritime dispute before an audience composed of local government leaders, representatives from government agencies, members of the academe, business sector representatives, religious sector representatives, members of the media, and uniformed personnel from the local law enforcement agencies. Throughout his engagements with the local audience, he pointed out that the Philippine narrative on the West Philippine Sea issue can be summed up in three points. “This is our story on the West Philippine Sea maritime dispute. The Philippines has legitimate rights on the South China Sea/West Philippine Sea enshrined in international law. However, China is claiming what is ours. For this reason, we should defend what is rightfully ours,” he stated.

The forum provided an opportunity for the audience to have greater engagement with the speaker through their questions, clarifications and comments. Due to the Bicol region’s proximity to the West Philippine Sea, the audience expressed concern over the possible effects of China’s actions on their livelihood and on the food security of the region. The Spokesperson acknowledged their concerns, saying that this issue is a matter of national interest and has serious and far reaching implications on the economy and security of our country. He stated that the issue will affect not only the present generation of Filipinos but future generations as well.

Assistant Secretary Jose, with the DFA and PIA team, then travelled to Sorsogon City on the same day to conduct a lecture in Aemilianum College before an audience composed of students and faculty members from different universities and colleges in the city. He was welcomed by Sorsogon City Mayor Salle Lee and Rev. Fr. Anastascio Llantos, CRS, Assistant Director for Administration in Aemilianum College. His lecture was followed by a lively open forum where the audience posed questions on matters such as post-arbitration scenarios and the implications of the dispute on the country’s future. A press conference was also held after the lecture where the Spokesperson engaged the members of the local media in Sorsogon City on several DFA-related issues.

The Spokersperson also appeared as a guest in DZGB's Tingog kan Banwaan program hosted by radio journalist Pio Fernandez. He discussed the nationwide information and education campaign on the West Philippine Sea issue conducted by DFA and PIA and urged the audience to sustain its interest and support in the issue.

Assistant Secretary Jose took advantage of his trip to Legazpi City to visit the DFA’s Regional Consular office there. He was warmly welcomed by the head of RCO Legazpi City Mr. Manuel Serrano and the rest of the DFA personnel.

The DFA and PIA will continue to hold multi-sectoral forums on the West Philippine Sea issue in other major regions throughout the country. Since the campaign’s launch in 2015, forums were already held in Cebu City, Cagayan de Oro City, Subic, Olongapo, Laoag City, Vigan City, Puerto Princesa City and Tuguegarao City, Dumaguete City, Iloilo City and Davao City. The next multi-sectoral advocacy campaign will be held in General Santos City. END