SAN FRANCISCO — The Philippine Consulate General in San Francisco hosted A Forum on the Situation in the West Philippine Sea last September 18 at the Philippine Center, in observance of the 2024 Maritime and Archipelagic Nation Awareness Month.
A video message from President Ferdinand Marcos, Jr. was played, where he called on every Filipino to be a steward of the vast maritime and archipelagic resources of the Philippines, to have a consciousness of protecting these resources, and to support the country-wide conservation programs of the government.
Assistant Secretary Marshall Louis Alferez of the Maritime and Archipelagic Oceans Affairs Office also delivered a video message where he shared the challenges that the government is confronted with in the WPS and the various mechanisms by which the Philippines has asserted its territorial rights and sovereignty and advocated for a rules-based international order.
In his remarks, Consul General Neil Frank Ferrer emphasized the importance of observing MANA Mo. “As part of our contribution towards the observance of MANAMo, the Philippine Consulate General in San Francisco has decided to organize this forum to raise consciousness among the sizeable Filipino community in the Bay Area and beyond, about the issue of the West Philippine Sea and its impact on our security sector, our law enforcement agencies, our fisherfolk, and of course on our oceans and seas,” he said.
The Forum’s keynote address was delivered by Vice Admiral Toribio Adaci, Jr, the Flag Officer-In-Command of the Philippine Navy, who shared his insights to further enhance the archipelagic mindset of the Filipinos, whether in the Philippines or abroad.
The event featured experts who shared their knowledge and perspectives on various aspects of the maritime issues in the West Philippine Sea. The resource speakers included Commodore Jay Tarriela, the Philippine Coast Guard Spokesperson on the West Philippine Sea, and the Special Staff of the Commandant on issues concerning the West Philippine Sea, who joined the forum virtually; Mr. Ray Powell, a retired U.S. Air Force and the Director of SeaLight, a maritime transparency project of the Gordian Knot Center for National Security Innovation at Stanford University, California; and Dr. Maria Ortuoste, a professor of Political Science at the California State University East Bay, an expert on Southeast Asia and Indo-Pacific security, Philippine and US foreign policy, and maritime security. The forum was moderated by Dr. Lisandro Claudio, the Chair of the Center for Southeast Asia Studies at the University of California Berkeley.
Commodore Jay Tarriela talked about the transparency initiative of President Ferdinand Marcos, Jr., on the issues in the West Philippine Sea., which aims to raise awareness and equip the Filipinos and the international community with accurate information happening in the West Philippine Sea.
In his presentation, Director Ray Powell discussed how transparency builds national resilience and gains international support for the Philippines in its efforts to protect its territorial integrity.
The discussion of Dr. Maria Ortuoste focused on the interface between environment and conflict. and how environmental degradation and resource scarcity can worsen conflicts. She believes that having a climate-centered code of conduct, and a common but differentiated responsibility towards environmental stewardship, can ensure sustainability of the oceans, including in the West Philippine Sea.
