AFP seeks NCR mayors’ help for West Philippine Sea education

MANILA, Philippines — The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) has sought the help of the mayors of Metro Manila to educate their constituents about the relevance of collectively asserting the Philippines’ sovereign rights in the West Philippine Sea (WPS).

Led by the AFP’s public affairs division chief Col. Jo-ar Herrera, the military presented its “Mulat” Communication Plan for the West Philippine Sea during a meeting of the Metro Manila Council at the main office of the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) in Pasig City on Thursday.

Anchored on the theme “Our Seas, Our Rights, Our Future,” Herrera explained the said strategy would help “increase national unity, patriotism and love for country,” particularly in rejecting China’s claims in the WPS.

A highlight of the said strategy would be the distribution of the maps of the Philippines that will include the West Philippine Sea “to educate the Filipino public.”

“We are urging our local chief executives through the MMDA to exert effort by disseminating information and education materials in all the mayors’ offices so we can strengthen our national unity and social cohesion,” Herrera said.

MMDA Chairman Romando Artes agreed to the AFP’s communication strategy and noted the MMDA’s former office in Makati City housed a copy of the 1734 Velarde map used by the Philippines in defending its sovereign rights in the WPS, particularly Panatag Shoal or Bajo de Masinloc, that resulted to the 2016 arbitral ruling.