WPS INFO DRIVE. Philippine Coast Guard spokesperson Jay Tarriela (3rd from right), who is also designated spokesperson for the National Task Force West Philippine Sea, is joined by Philippine Information Agency Director General Jose Torres Jr. in answering questions from Cebu media in a press conference at the Savoy Hotel in Lapu-Lapu City, Cebu on Thursday (April 4, 2024). Tarriela said the national government is ramping up efforts to combat "fake news" and pro-China narratives that are undermining the Philippine government's position on the West Philippine Sea issue. (PNA photo by John Rey Saavedra)
LAPU-LAPU CITY, Cebu – The spokesperson of the National Task Force on West Philippine Sea (NTF-WPS) on Thursday assured a more aggressive communications strategy to combat fake news and misinformation that muddled the issue on the Chinese coast guard's continued bullying.
Commodore Jay Tarriela, spokesperson of the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) and the NTF-WPS, said President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.'s administration is committed to ensuring transparency in the West Philippine Sea.
Exposing illegal operations of the Chinese coast guard and military militia vessels at the country's exclusive economic zone (EEZ) is among the strategies to dispel pro-China narratives, Tarriela said.
The PCG partnered with the Philippine Information Agency and other agencies in doing capacity-building activities for public communicators tasked with educating the grassroots on the WPS issue.
Tarriela said transparency on the WPS, especially during resupply missions to Ayungin Shoal, will make the Filipino people aware of the actual happenings and gain support from the international community in criticizing and condemning China's illegal operations within the EEZ.
"Don't give up this fight. The issue on the West Philippine Sea is a fight for the next generations of Filipinos," Tarriela said in a press conference on the second day of their workshop in this historical island city.
He also urged the public to be aware of fake news and fabrications created by "trolls" that are being spread to discredit the Philippine government's position on WPS.
Among the misinformation that people must be aware of is the news that the Philippine government's resupply missions to Ayungin Shoal have been provocative against China, he said.
"Those are routine and legitimate operations supported by the PCG," he added.
Tarriela also dismissed the misinformation that China has become very aggressive in the WPS because of the Philippines' deepening relations with the US.
PIA Director General Jose Torres Jr. said the government's communications arm will use conferences, fun runs, and other grassroots activities to address the "alarming" misinformation on the WPS issue.
PCG and PIA's partnership with the National Security Council, Department of Justice, and Bagong Pilipinas is on its third leg in the Visayas for the WPS strategic communications planning and workshop before the same seminar in Palawan and Manila. (PNA)
