DFA Official: All Filipinos Should Be Concerned With West Philippine Sea Issue

Foreign Affairs Assistant Secretary Charles Jose encouraged all Filipinos, including Negrenses, to be aware of the national government’s policies and actions on the country’s maritime claims on the West Philippine Sea (WPS).

“The issue should concern all Filipinos. Those in Negros, just the same. The people of Negros should be concerned. The issue affects our sovereignty and territorial resources,” said Jose in a press conference here Wednesday.

Jose, who is also the spokesperson of the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA), said they are conducting a nationwide campaign to raise the level of awareness of the Filipinos on the country’s rights and measures to gain possession of the much-disputed territory, which China also claims as its own.

The Philippine territory includes the maritime zones defined by the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS).

Jose also reiterated the government’s “dual track” position, which includes diplomatic and legal tracks that constitutes the Philippines’ rules-based approach to the issue.

As part of the awareness campaign, Jose will speak before a multi-sectoral forum Thursday at the Sugarland Hotel here to discuss the core issues of the WPS dispute, China’s activities in the area, and principles underpinning the Philippines’ position on the issue.

It will be attended by representatives from national government agencies, local government units, business, academe, students, religious, media, farmers, and fisherfolk. (PNA) JMC/NLG