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CEBU CITY,
March 10 (PIA )--- Cebu today hosted the first ever multi-sectoral forum on the
West Philippine Sea, which is the the first of a series of informaton
drive to be held in regions nationwide.
More than a hundred representatives from various sectors attended
the forum jointly conducted by the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) and the
Philippine Information Agency (PIA) held at the Central Command, Camp
Lapulapu.
The objective of the activity is to raise awareness among citizens
on the issue on West Philippine Sea and to get the people's support o the
policies and actions of the Philippine government to address the issues in
South China Sea.
Lt. Gen Nicanor Vivar, commanding general of Armed Forces of the
Philippines-Centcom, said there is tension in the West Philippine Sea which the
Filipinos need to be aware of.
“It is no longer a domestic problem but it has become a global
problem. We have to know the historical facts and also our historical
rights,” Vivar said in his welcome message.
The 3,500-square kilometer area west of the Philippines was then
called South China Sea until the issuance of Administrative Order 29 in 2012
officially naming it as West Philippine Sea.
DFA Spokesperson, Assistant Secretary Charles Jose, gave a presentation
explaining the historical background of the tension at the West Philippine Sea.
“We have to raise awareness and gain support of the people on the
current moves of the government in addressing the problem,” Jose said.
Jose cited two underlying reasons on the need for public
awareness, China’s claim over the territory and its aggressive behavior.
He said China and the rest of the claimants used to "co-exist
quietly" until 2009 when China submitted a map showing a nine-dash
line which had enclosed the territories in the entire South China Sea.
“China’s claim has been excessive, expansive and no basis under
the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS),” Jose said.
They had recorded several instances of aggression which include
establishment of Sensha City, a sign of administering powers over the entire
region and the barring of logistics to soldiers guarding the Scarborough Shoal.
Jose said the Philippines is now waiting for the result of an
arbitration filed at the United Nations.
Reportedly there are 5 million Filipinos making a living from the
sea waters in the areas and the Philippines has the richest biodiversity.
PIA Regional Director Minerva Newman challenged the participants
to share the key message starting with their relatives and then the people in
their community.
“The key message is that the Philippine Government and the
Filipino people are determined to defend what is legally ours,” Newman
said.
The knowledge gained from the activity should be shared in order
to show support to what the government has been doing.
“We equip ourselves with knowledge, necessary information, the
beauty, value of the West Philippine Sea and we can actually start from where
we are sitting now,” Newman said.
After the presentation, some identified participants also
underwent focused group discussions.
These include people from the academe particularly the
communication group in University of San Jose Recoletos, University of San
Carlos and University of the Philippines.
There were also representatives
from local government units and national government agencies.
(rmn/FCC/PIA-Cebu)