TARLAC CITY – To equip the youth with knowledge about the West Philippine Sea (WPS) and combat the spread of false information online, the Philippine Information Agency (PIA) Central Luzon held the Kilos Kabataan Para sa West Philippine Sea at Tarlac State University (TSU).
The event was organized in partnership with the National Youth Commission (NYC), the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG), and TSU.
PIA Director-General Katherine Chloe De Castro emphasized that the forum was more than just a symposium—it was an opportunity to deepen understanding of the WPS issue and teach the youth to verify information to fight fake news.
“Recent events once again prove that the war against misinformation, disinformation, and malinformation is far from over. With the overwhelming spread of false information, many people become confused or misled. We cannot allow falsehoods to prevail; we must ensure that every Filipino hears and understands the truth,” she said.
PIA Regional Head William Beltran reaffirmed the agency’s commitment to forming partnerships with third-party groups who can voluntarily inform the public about the issue, similar to PIA’s ongoing efforts.
He stressed that the responsibility of protecting the WPS should not fall solely on the government, as the issue concerns all Filipinos.
While he acknowledged the challenges in forming new partnerships, he expressed confidence that the support of existing partners would contribute to the success of this advocacy.
Meanwhile, PCG Spokesperson for the WPS Commodore Jay Tristan Tarriela urged Filipinos to trust the country’s claim over the WPS, stressing that defending it begins with their support and recognition.
“As Filipinos, we must remember that we have no reason to argue with any foreign entity. We must believe in our rightful claim—that the West Philippine Sea belongs to the Philippines and its people,” he stated.
Furthermore, he underscored the importance of educating the youth about the issue.
“Our duty today is to ensure that you are well-informed and understand what we are fighting for. The most important responsibility we have to the youth is to hold the line and secure something for them to fight for in the future,” he added.
Likewise, NYC Assistant Secretary Karl Josef Legazpi challenged students to reflect on their role in defending the country, emphasizing that the nation’s future depends on today’s actions.
“We are at a turning point in history. What we do today will define the Philippines of tomorrow. If we remain silent, we surrender. If we stay indifferent, we allow others to dictate our future. But if we choose to act—if we fight for the West Philippine Sea, for our country, and for our people—then we prove ourselves worthy of our ancestors,” Legazpi declared.
Similarly, PIA Assistant Regional Head Carlo Lorenzo Datu reminded students that they play a crucial role in responsible information sharing and urged them to verify facts before spreading them.
“As communicators, we have a duty to examine and verify information before sharing it. Responsible information sharing starts with you. Remember, truth empowers. What we share shapes opinions, influences actions, and affects public sentiment,” he said.
In addition, TSU President Arnold Velasco expressed gratitude to the PIA for choosing the university as the venue and acknowledged the initiative’s goal of helping the youth deepen their understanding of the issue.
“This event will surely help us understand and uphold our rights over our territorial waters. This seminar will broaden our knowledge, challenge our perspectives, and inspire meaningful discussions with experts. We deeply appreciate the PIA for selecting our university to enlighten the youth and our students on this pressing issue,” Velasco stated.
As discussions on the WPS continue to evolve, forums like this empower the youth to critically assess information, engage in meaningful discourse, and actively participate in defending the nation’s rightful claims. (CLJD/RPQ, PIA Region 3-Tarlac)