The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) is intensifying its outreach to Filipino youth to foster dialogue and understanding regarding the West Philippine Sea (WPS), stressing its importance in shaping the nation’s maritime rights and security.

WPS spokesperson PCG Commodore Jay Tarriela underscored the inter-generational nature of the issue during a press conference Tuesday, saying that “it is the reason the Filipino youth must get involved.”

Tarriela and Philippine Information Agency director general Katherine Chloe de Castro led discussions on Philippine sovereign rights and maritime security at the West Philippine Sea Youth Forum held at PHINMA-Cagayan de Oro College on Tuesday.

“Diplomacy has always been a priority in talks with China. The diplomatic efforts had been continuously used by this government. It never stopped,” said Tarriela as he dismissed as “fake news” China’s claim of occupying a portion of Sandy Cay, which he said China has been promoting on social media.

“The local media is our reliable partners in countering fake news. Through you, the Filipino people will have the right news perspective in our fight for the WPS. We are all Filipino. The WPS issue is not for Luzon alone, but for all those who sing the Philippine National Anthem,” Tarriela said.

He encouraged ordinary Filipinos to actively participate on social media platforms such as Facebook, TikTok, X and Instagram to support the government’s stance on the WPS.

“These social media platforms are currently being utilized by China to spread fake news and misinformation about the WPS. Filipinos can report these posts to Meta or put comments in their posts of the right information to guide fellow Filipinos viewing these posts about WPS,” Tarriela said.

He also stressed the importance of every Filipino understanding the nation’s position on the WPS, asserting that fact-checking and seeking the truth will prevent misinformation from prevailing.

The PCG official highlighted the crucial role of government efforts in raising awareness about the WPS, particularly among the youth, stressing that it is vital for the younger generation nationwide to grasp the significance of the territorial disputes as it directly impacts the country’s sovereignty.

Tarriela also explained that the WPS issue is not merely a present concern but one that will affect future generations, making youth awareness of their role in protecting the nation’s interests essential.