West Philippine Sea Transparency Group

Official X Account of PCG-WPSTG. FIGHT DISINFORMATION! GET THE RIGHT INFORMATION! #SaWestPhilippineSeaAngYamanNitoAyParaSaPilipino 🇵🇭

[Jay Tarriela @jaytaryela]

PCG DRIVES AWAY FOREIGN FISHING VESSEL FROM TERRITORIAL SEA OF LAWAK ISLAND

The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG), through its personnel stationed on Lawak Island, successfully drove away a foreign fishing vessel from the territorial sea of Lawak Island, Kalayaan Island Group, on 23 October 2026.

At around noon, PCG personnel on Lawak Island monitored the foreign fishing vessel lying approximately two (2) nautical miles northeast of the island, well within its 12-nautical-mile territorial sea. In the early afternoon, the PCG deployed a rubber boat to conduct maritime patrol and law enforcement operations and to direct the vessel to vacate the area.

Upon reaching the vessel, the PCG team conducted multiple radio challenges and, through public address microphones, issued repeated verbal warnings and instructions directing it to leave the territorial sea of Lawak Island. The vessel subsequently started its engine and proceeded northward, away from the island.

The PCG team did not stop at merely dislodging the vessel from its position. It escorted the vessel at a safe distance while continuing to issue radio challenges and public address warnings until the vessel was driven away outside the territorial sea of Lawak Island, after which the team returned to the island without any untoward incident.

This is the sixth operation conducted by the PCG in less than four weeks to drive away foreign vessels from the Kalayaan Island Group, following the repelling of Chinese Maritime Militia Vessel (CMMV) 9622 and its sampans from Kota Island on 28 September and 09 October 2026, five (5) foreign fishing vessels from Kota Island on 11 October 2026, Chinese fishing vessel YUETAIYU 63168 and its four small boats from Lawak Island on 15 October 2026, and a foreign fishing vessel from Kota Island on 18 October 2026.

Lawak Island is an integral part of the Municipality of Kalayaan, Province of Palawan. Under international law, the Philippines exercises full sovereignty over its territorial sea, where no foreign vessel may fish without authorization. Such activities likewise constitute violations of Philippine laws, including the Philippine Fisheries Code and the Philippine Maritime Zones Act.

Under the leadership of PCG Commandant Vice Admiral Rommel Supangan, the PCG will sustain its presence and vigilance in the Kalayaan Island Group and continue to drive away unauthorized foreign vessels from the territorial sea of Philippine-occupied features.

This operation was carried out in accordance with the guidance of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr., who, in his State of the Nation Address on 27 July 2026, vowed that the Philippines will not surrender or waver in defending its territory and maritime rights in the West Philippine Sea, in adherence to international law and the 2016 Arbitral Award.

[West Philippine Sea Transparency Group @wpstransparency]

20 𝐃𝐀𝐘𝐒 𝐓𝐎 𝐇𝐈𝐒𝐓𝐎𝐑𝐘! 𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐂𝐎𝐔𝐍𝐓𝐃𝐎𝐖𝐍 𝐈𝐒 𝐎𝐍!

Get ready for an unforgettable celebration where art meets patriotism, unity ignites inspiration and every moment tells a story of the Filipino Spirit.

𝐍𝐎𝐕𝐄𝐌𝐁𝐄𝐑 12, 2026 | 5:00 𝐏𝐌 📍 𝐍𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐚𝐥 𝐌𝐮𝐬𝐞𝐮𝐦 𝐨𝐟 𝐍𝐚𝐭𝐮𝐫𝐚𝐥 𝐇𝐢𝐬𝐭𝐨𝐫𝐲, 𝐌𝐚𝐧𝐢𝐥𝐚
Mark your calendars. Rally your excitement. Be part of the moment that brings us all together!

#WestPhilippineSea
#WpsTransparency
#WpsMuralFestival2026⁩

[Jay Tarriela @jaytaryela]

The Philippines did not ask for, and does not need, anyone's "approval" to resupply our own troops aboard BRP Sierra Madre at Ayungin Shoal. The October 21 mission was a sovereign act of the Philippine government inside our own exclusive economic zone.

Ayungin Shoal lies about 105 nautical miles from Palawan and more than 500 nautical miles from the nearest coast of China. No country asks permission from a neighbor that far away to feed its own soldiers in its own waters.

And there is no such thing as "Ren'ai Jiao." That name exists only on Beijing's maps. The 2016 Arbitral Award, final and binding on China, ruled that Ayungin Shoal is a low-tide elevation forming part of the Philippine continental shelf and EEZ, where China has no entitlement whatsoever.

The China Coast Guard's presence there is nothing but harassment and bullying. At ang Ayungin Shoal ay para sa Pilipino!

[Jay Tarriela @jaytaryela]

Chinese MOFA talked about China's position on "improving and growing its ties with the Philippines" instead of defending Ambassador Jing Quan. Does this mean MOFA is putting distance between itself and its own envoy?

That leaves an obvious question: if the ambassador's words reflect Beijing's policy, why would the Foreign Ministry not say so? And if they don't, then who exactly is Ambassador Jing speaking for? Is he a loose cannon that the Chinese Embassy in Manila is now scrambling to reframe?

[West Philippine Sea Transparency Group @wpstransparency]

𝐖𝐏𝐒 𝐃𝐈𝐒𝐂𝐔𝐒𝐒𝐈𝐎𝐍 𝐑𝐄𝐀𝐂𝐇𝐄𝐒 𝐁𝐀𝐓𝐀𝐍𝐆𝐀𝐒, 𝐇𝐈𝐆𝐇𝐋𝐈𝐆𝐇𝐓𝐈𝐍𝐆 𝐌𝐀𝐑𝐈𝐓𝐈𝐌𝐄 𝐀𝐖𝐀𝐑𝐄𝐍𝐄𝐒𝐒 𝐊𝐍𝐎𝐖𝐒 𝐍𝐎 𝐆𝐄𝐎𝐆𝐑𝐀𝐏𝐇𝐈𝐂𝐀𝐋 𝐁𝐎𝐔𝐍𝐃𝐀𝐑𝐈𝐄𝐒

We cannot expect the next generation to stand up for rights they do not understand or recognize the significance of what they have never been taught.

The West Philippine Sea Transparency Group had the privilege of participating in the West Philippine Sea Symposium at Canossa Academy in Batangas on October 21, 2026, an initiative that underscores the importance of education in fostering maritime awareness, critical thinking, and patriotism among the Filipino youth.

𝐑𝐞𝐚𝐫 𝐀𝐝𝐦𝐢𝐫𝐚𝐥 𝐉𝐚𝐲 𝐓 𝐓𝐚𝐫𝐫𝐢𝐞𝐥𝐚, PCG Spokesperson for the West Philippine Sea, served as the speaker during the Symposium on the said school with more than 130 student participants.

The engagement was made even meaningful by the students’ curiosity, enthusiasm, and thoughtful participation. Their eagerness to learn about the West Philippine Sea reflects the promise of a generation capable of questioning responsibly, distinguishing facts from disinformation, and understanding the legal and historical foundations of our country's maritime rights and interests.

Wherever there are young Filipinos willing to learn, WPSTG believes there must be an opportunity to inform, engage, and inspire them to appreciate and stand for what is rightfully ours.

#WestPhilippineSea
#WPSTransparency
#PHSovereignRights
#WPSymposium
#PhilippineCoastGuard

[West Philippine Sea Transparency Group @wpstransparency]

𝐏𝐑𝐄𝐒𝐈𝐃𝐄𝐍𝐓 𝐌𝐀𝐑𝐂𝐎𝐒 𝐇𝐀𝐈𝐋𝐒 𝐏𝐂𝐆 𝐀𝐒 𝐅𝐑𝐎𝐍𝐓𝐋𝐈𝐍𝐄 𝐃𝐄𝐅𝐄𝐍𝐃𝐄𝐑 𝐎𝐅 𝐏𝐇𝐈𝐋𝐈𝐏𝐏𝐈𝐍𝐄 𝐒𝐄𝐀𝐒 𝐀𝐍𝐃 𝐒𝐎𝐕𝐄𝐑𝐄𝐈𝐆𝐍 𝐑𝐈𝐆𝐇𝐓𝐒

President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. underscored the vital role of the 𝐏𝐡𝐢𝐥𝐢𝐩𝐩𝐢𝐧𝐞 𝐂𝐨𝐚𝐬𝐭 𝐆𝐮𝐚𝐫𝐝 as the country’s frontline maritime responder during the PCG Change of Command Ceremony held at Manila Port Harbor on October 19, 2026.

In his speech, the President highlighted the PCG’s commitment to assisting vessels in distress, responding to maritime emergencies, and providing aid to Filipino fishermen in need. The President also emphasized the Coast Guard’s collaboration with other maritime agencies in safeguarding the public, protecting the country’s maritime interests, and upholding its sovereign rights across Philippine waters.

Source: Source: https://t.co/urmEj560s1

[West Philippine Sea Transparency Group @wpstransparency]

𝐍𝐄𝐖𝐋𝐘 𝐈𝐍𝐒𝐓𝐀𝐋𝐋𝐄𝐃 𝐏𝐂𝐆 𝐂𝐎𝐌𝐌𝐀𝐍𝐃𝐀𝐍𝐓 𝐑𝐄𝐀𝐅𝐅𝐈𝐑𝐌𝐒 𝐏𝐂𝐆'𝐒 𝐂𝐎𝐌𝐌𝐈𝐓𝐌𝐄𝐍𝐓 𝐓𝐎 𝐀𝐒𝐒𝐄𝐑𝐓 𝐏𝐇 𝐒𝐎𝐕𝐄𝐑𝐄𝐈𝐆𝐍𝐓𝐘 𝐀𝐍𝐃 𝐒𝐎𝐕𝐄𝐑𝐄𝐈𝐆𝐍 𝐑𝐈𝐆𝐇𝐓𝐒 𝐈𝐍 𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐖𝐄𝐒𝐓 𝐏𝐇𝐈𝐋𝐈𝐏𝐏𝐈𝐍𝐄 𝐒𝐄𝐀

Newly installed 31st Commandant of the Philippine Coast Guard, 𝐕𝐢𝐜𝐞 𝐀𝐝𝐦𝐢𝐫𝐚𝐥 𝐑𝐨𝐦𝐦𝐞𝐥 𝐒𝐮𝐩𝐚𝐧𝐠𝐚𝐧 𝐏𝐂𝐆, reaffirmed the organizations commitment to asserting Philippine Sovereignty and sovereign rights through sustained sovereign patrols in the West Philippine Sea and the country’s Exclusive Economic Zone.

“𝑾𝒆 𝒘𝒊𝒍𝒍 𝒔𝒕𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝒐𝒏 𝒘𝒉𝒂𝒕 𝒊𝒔 𝒐𝒖𝒓𝒔, 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝒘𝒆 𝒘𝒊𝒍𝒍 𝒅𝒐 𝒔𝒐 𝒘𝒊𝒕𝒉 𝒅𝒊𝒈𝒏𝒊𝒕𝒚, 𝒊𝒏𝒕𝒆𝒈𝒓𝒊𝒕𝒚, 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝒂𝒃𝒔𝒐𝒍𝒖𝒕𝒆 𝒓𝒆𝒔𝒐𝒍𝒗𝒆,” Vice Admiral Supangan said, emphasizing the PCG’s role in supporting the whole-of-government approach to protecting the country’s maritime interests.

His vision is built on four key pillars: good governance, effective maritime governance, modernization, and strategic partnerships, which aim to strengthen the Philippine Coast Guard’s integrity, boost its operational strength, and build strong domestic and international alliances to protect Philippine waters.

#WestPhilippineSea
#WPSTransparency
#TransparencyInitiative
#PhilippineCoastGuard

[ABS-CBN News @ABSCBNNews]

The Philippine Coast Guard conducted a maritime domain awareness flight over Bajo de Masinloc or Scarborough Shoal in the West Philippine Sea on Tuesday.

Even before reaching the shoal, radio challenges could already be heard between the Philippine Air Force, which was also conducting an MDA flight, and China’s People’s Liberation Army Air Force and PLA Navy.

Two buoys and a floating barrier were spotted still in place at Bajo de Masinloc.

A Chinese research vessel, a PLA Navy warship, and a Chinese maritime militia vessel were also seen operating outside the shoal. | #SelfiePatrol ni @biancadava

[West Philippine Sea Transparency Group @wpstransparency]

𝐓𝐑𝐀𝐍𝐒𝐏𝐀𝐑𝐄𝐍𝐂𝐘 𝐁𝐄𝐘𝐎𝐍𝐃 𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐒𝐄𝐀: 𝐃𝐄𝐏𝐄𝐃 𝐑𝐄𝐆𝐈𝐎𝐍 𝐕𝐈 𝐓𝐄𝐀𝐂𝐇𝐄𝐑𝐒 𝐄𝐌𝐏𝐎𝐖𝐄𝐑𝐄𝐃 𝐓𝐎 𝐒𝐇𝐀𝐏𝐄 𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐍𝐄𝐗𝐓 𝐆𝐄𝐍𝐄𝐑𝐀𝐓𝐈𝐎𝐍 𝐎𝐅 𝐈𝐍𝐅𝐎𝐑𝐌𝐄𝐃 𝐅𝐈𝐋𝐈𝐏𝐈𝐍𝐎𝐒

What happens at sea today will shape the country our students inherit tomorrow.
𝐑𝐞𝐚𝐫 𝐀𝐝𝐦𝐢𝐫𝐚𝐥 𝐉𝐚𝐲 𝐓𝐚𝐫𝐫𝐢𝐞𝐥𝐚, PCG Spokesperson for the West Philippine Sea, gave a lecture to teachers of the Department of Education (𝐃𝐞𝐩𝐄𝐝) 𝐑𝐞𝐠𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐕𝐈 – Western Visayas. He highlighted that the WPS is intergenerational issue and stressed that teachers must understand what the country is defending and why it matters.

“This is the reason why we need to be transparent in the West Philippine Sea,” he said.

𝐀𝐭𝐭𝐲. 𝐅𝐫𝐞𝐭𝐭𝐢 𝐆. 𝐆𝐚𝐧𝐜𝐡𝐨𝐨𝐧, Senior State Counsel of the Department of Justice, explained the legal basis of our rights: 𝐔𝐍𝐂𝐋𝐎𝐒, the 𝟐𝟎𝟏𝟔 𝐀𝐫𝐛𝐢𝐭𝐫𝐚𝐥 𝐀𝐰𝐚𝐫𝐝, and the 𝐏𝐡𝐢𝐥𝐢𝐩𝐩𝐢𝐧𝐞 𝐌𝐚𝐫𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐦𝐞 𝐙𝐨𝐧𝐞𝐬 𝐀𝐜𝐭.
Also present were Dr. Miguel Mac D. Aposin, Assistant Regional Director, DepEd Region VI; Dr. Raul Banias, Iloilo Provincial Administrator, representing Iloilo Gov. Arthur Defensor Jr.; and Hon. Laurice Anthony Gorriceta, Municipal Mayor of Pavia.

An informed teacher raises informed students who know the truth and stand for it.

#WestPhilippineSea #Educators #RegionVI #TransparencyInitiative #PhilippineCoastGuard

[West Philippine Sea Transparency Group @wpstransparency]

𝐏𝐂𝐆-𝐖𝐏𝐒𝐓𝐆 𝐖𝐄𝐋𝐂𝐎𝐌𝐄𝐒 𝐓𝐇𝐄 31𝐒𝐓 𝐂𝐎𝐌𝐌𝐀𝐍𝐃𝐀𝐍𝐓 𝐎𝐅 𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐏𝐇𝐈𝐋𝐈𝐏𝐏𝐈𝐍𝐄 𝐂𝐎𝐀𝐒𝐓 𝐆𝐔𝐀𝐑𝐃, 𝐕𝐈𝐂𝐄 𝐀𝐃𝐌𝐈𝐑𝐀𝐋 𝐑𝐎𝐌𝐌𝐄𝐋 𝐒𝐔𝐏𝐀𝐍𝐆𝐀𝐍 𝐏𝐂𝐆

The 𝐏𝐂𝐆–𝐖𝐞𝐬𝐭 𝐏𝐡𝐢𝐥𝐢𝐩𝐩𝐢𝐧𝐞 𝐒𝐞𝐚 𝐓𝐫𝐚𝐧𝐬𝐩𝐚𝐫𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐲 𝐆𝐫𝐨𝐮𝐩 warmly welcomes 𝐕𝐈𝐂𝐄 𝐀𝐃𝐌𝐈𝐑𝐀𝐋 𝐑𝐎𝐌𝐌𝐄𝐋 𝐒𝐔𝐏𝐀𝐍𝐆𝐀𝐍 𝐏𝐂𝐆 as the 31𝐬𝐭 𝐂𝐨𝐦𝐦𝐚𝐧𝐝𝐚𝐧𝐭 𝐨𝐟 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐏𝐡𝐢𝐥𝐢𝐩𝐩𝐢𝐧𝐞 𝐂𝐨𝐚𝐬𝐭 𝐆𝐮𝐚𝐫𝐝.

As we welcome your leadership, 𝐰𝐞 𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐟𝐟𝐢𝐫𝐦 𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐜𝐨𝐦𝐦𝐢𝐭𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐭𝐨 𝐚𝐝𝐯𝐚𝐧𝐜𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐭𝐫𝐚𝐧𝐬𝐩𝐚𝐫𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐲, 𝐬𝐭𝐫𝐞𝐧𝐠𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐧𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐩𝐮𝐛𝐥𝐢𝐜 𝐚𝐰𝐚𝐫𝐞𝐧𝐞𝐬𝐬, 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐞𝐧𝐬𝐮𝐫𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐭𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐭𝐫𝐮𝐭𝐡 𝐚𝐛𝐨𝐮𝐭 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐖𝐞𝐬𝐭 𝐏𝐡𝐢𝐥𝐢𝐩𝐩𝐢𝐧𝐞 𝐒𝐞𝐚 𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐜𝐡𝐞𝐬 𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐲 𝐅𝐢𝐥𝐢𝐩𝐢𝐧𝐨. Guided by our shared duty to serve the nation, we stand ready to support the Philippine Coast Guard’s mission of safeguarding our maritime interests and upholding the truth through verified information.

𝐒𝐚 𝐢𝐧𝐲𝐨𝐧𝐠 𝐩𝐚𝐦𝐮𝐦𝐮𝐧𝐨, 𝐚𝐦𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐢𝐩𝐚𝐠𝐩𝐚𝐩𝐚𝐭𝐮𝐥𝐨𝐲 𝐚𝐧𝐠 𝐩𝐚𝐧𝐢𝐧𝐢𝐧𝐝𝐢𝐠𝐚𝐧—𝐩𝐚𝐫𝐚 𝐬𝐚 𝐤𝐚𝐭𝐨𝐭𝐨𝐡𝐚𝐧𝐚𝐧, 𝐩𝐚𝐫𝐚 𝐬𝐚 𝐛𝐚𝐲𝐚𝐧, 𝐚𝐭 𝐩𝐚𝐫𝐚 𝐬𝐚 𝐖𝐞𝐬𝐭 𝐏𝐡𝐢𝐥𝐢𝐩𝐩𝐢𝐧𝐞 𝐒𝐞𝐚!🇵🇭

[West Philippine Sea Transparency Group @wpstransparency]

LOOK: PCG LEADS JOINT OPERATION TO REPEL CHINESE MARITIME MILITIA VESSEL AND 22 SAMPANS FROM TERRITORIAL SEA OF KOTA ISLAND
The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG), through Coast Guard Station (CGS) Kota under the Coast Guard District Kalayaan Island Group, led a joint operation with the Philippine Marine Corps and the Philippine Navy that successfully repelled Chinese Maritime Militia Vessel (CMMV) 9622 and its twenty-two (22) deployed sampans from the territorial sea of Kota Island on 09 October 2026.

[West Philippine Sea Transparency Group @wpstransparency]

𝐅𝐑𝐎𝐌 𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐖𝐄𝐒𝐓 𝐏𝐇𝐈𝐋𝐈𝐏𝐏𝐈𝐍𝐄 𝐒𝐄𝐀 𝐓𝐎 𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐂𝐈𝐍𝐄𝐌𝐀𝐒: 𝐓𝐔𝐑𝐍𝐈𝐍𝐆 𝐒𝐓𝐎𝐑𝐈𝐄𝐒 𝐈𝐍𝐓𝐎 𝐀𝐖𝐀𝐑𝐄𝐍𝐄𝐒𝐒

Watch as students and teachers from Region III share their thoughts and reactions before and after watching “𝐅𝐨𝐨𝐝 𝐃𝐞𝐥𝐢𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐲: 𝐅𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐡 𝐟𝐫𝐨𝐦 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐖𝐞𝐬𝐭 𝐏𝐡𝐢𝐥𝐢𝐩𝐩𝐢𝐧𝐞 𝐒𝐞𝐚.”

For a region with coastal communities facing the West Philippine Sea, 𝐮𝐧𝐝𝐞𝐫𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐧𝐝𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐬𝐞𝐚𝐬 𝐢𝐬 𝐩𝐚𝐫𝐭 𝐨𝐟 𝐮𝐧𝐝𝐞𝐫𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐧𝐝𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐡𝐢𝐬𝐭𝐨𝐫𝐲, 𝐥𝐢𝐯𝐞𝐥𝐢𝐡𝐨𝐨𝐝, 𝐦𝐚𝐫𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐦𝐞 𝐡𝐞𝐫𝐢𝐭𝐚𝐠𝐞, 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐧𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐚𝐥 𝐢𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐭𝐬. More than a film, this story brings the significance of the WPS closer to Region III, encouraging meaningful conversations and greater awareness among educators and the younger generation.

Through storytelling, we bring the sea closer to our classrooms. Through 𝐮𝐧𝐝𝐞𝐫𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐧𝐝𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐬𝐞𝐚𝐬 𝐢𝐬 𝐩𝐚𝐫𝐭 𝐨𝐟 𝐮𝐧𝐝𝐞𝐫𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐧𝐝𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐡𝐢𝐬𝐭𝐨𝐫𝐲, 𝐥𝐢𝐯𝐞𝐥𝐢𝐡𝐨𝐨𝐝, 𝐦𝐚𝐫𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐦𝐞 𝐡𝐞𝐫𝐢𝐭𝐚𝐠𝐞, 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐧𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐚𝐥 𝐢𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐭𝐬.. 🇵🇭

#DepEdRegion3
#Educators
#WestPhilippineSea
#WPSTransparency
#TransparencyInitiative
#FoodDeliveryFreshFromTheWestPhilppineSea⁩

[Jay Tarriela @jaytaryela]

PCG COMMANDANT ACTIVATES COAST GUARD AUXILIARY DISTRICT IN KALAYAAN ISLAND GROUP; KALAYAAN MAYOR LEADS NEW PCGA MEMBERS IN OATH-TAKING

Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) Commandant Admiral Ronnie Gil L. Gavan visited Pag-asa Island today, 07 October 2026, to lead the activation of the Coast Guard Auxiliary District Kalayaan Island Group and the donning and oath-taking of new members of the Philippine Coast Guard Auxiliary (PCGA).

The new PCGA members were led by Kalayaan Municipal Mayor Beltsazar "Billy" Alindogan, together with teachers of the Department of Education (DepEd), members of the Municipal Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (MDRRMC), and officials of the Local Government Unit (LGU) of Kalayaan. The ceremony was held at the Covered Court of Pag-asa Island.

During the event, Admiral Gavan also congratulated the youth of Pag-asa Island who graduated as Sea Scouts after completing PCG-led training in Basic Life Support (BLS) and Water Search and Rescue (WASAR). He commended the young graduates for choosing to equip themselves with life-saving skills that will directly benefit their families and their island community. The Sea Scout graduates also received school bags from the Operation Brotherhood Community Montessori.

In his message, the Commandant emphasized that the PCGA is fundamentally about volunteerism. He said that through the Auxiliary, the PCG can instill in the minds of the public the importance of preparedness and resiliency, especially in a remote island community where immediate help depends on the readiness of its own people. At the same time, he stressed that volunteers from Kalayaan become partners of the government in standing for the country's sovereign rights in the West Philippine Sea.

"The activation of the Auxiliary District here in Pag-asa means that the civilians of Kalayaan now stand shoulder to shoulder with your Coast Guard. Volunteerism is not only about responding to emergencies; it is also about showing the world that Filipinos live here, serve here, and will continue to protect what is rightfully ours," Admiral Gavan said.

As part of his visit, the Commandant also awarded and recognized the PCG personnel who responded to the blast fishing incident near Pag-asa Island on 04 October 2026. On that day, an inter-agency team led by the Coast Guard District Kalayaan Island Group (CGD KIG), together with the Philippine Navy, including Marines, and the PNP Maritime Group, responded to a report of suspected dynamite fishing near Sandy Cays 2 and 3, about three nautical miles west of Pag-asa Island, within the territorial sea of the Philippines.

Admiral Gavan lauded the responders for their professionalism, courage, and restraint in enforcing Philippine laws against a destructive practice that damages coral reefs and depletes the fish stocks that Filipino fishermen in the Kalayaan Island Group depend on.

"What you did last Sunday was a routine law enforcement operation, but you carried it out under conditions that were anything but routine. You showed that the Philippine Coast Guard will not abandon its duty to protect our marine resources, even under intimidation," the Commandant told the awardees.

The activation of the Coast Guard Auxiliary District Kalayaan Island Group complements the establishment of the Coast Guard District Kalayaan Island Group, which has raised the PCG's presence in the KIG to a new level by enabling faster response, better sustainment of operations, and closer coordination with the Municipality of Kalayaan and other government agencies.

These initiatives are in accordance with the guidance of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr., who has called for a culture of preparedness and a whole-of-society approach to building resilience, and for firm national resolve in defending what is ours and responsible stewardship of the country's marine resources.

[West Philippine Sea Transparency Group @wpstransparency]

𝐌𝐀𝐊𝐄 𝐖𝐀𝐕𝐄𝐒: 𝐒𝐇𝐀𝐏𝐈𝐍𝐆 𝐘𝐎𝐔𝐍𝐆 𝐕𝐎𝐈𝐂𝐄𝐒 𝐅𝐎𝐑 𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐖𝐄𝐒𝐓 𝐏𝐇𝐈𝐋𝐈𝐏𝐏𝐈𝐍𝐄 𝐒𝐄𝐀

On October 3, 2026, the 𝐐𝐮𝐞𝐳𝐨𝐧 𝐂𝐢𝐭𝐲 𝐏𝐓𝐀 𝐅𝐞𝐝𝐞𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 – 𝐃𝐢𝐬𝐭𝐫𝐢𝐜𝐭 4, in partnership with 𝐒𝐚𝐟𝐞 𝐒𝐜𝐡𝐨𝐨𝐥𝐬 𝐏𝐡𝐢𝐥𝐢𝐩𝐩𝐢𝐧𝐞𝐬, successfully held the 𝐌𝐚𝐤𝐞 𝐖𝐀𝐕𝐄𝐒: 𝐖𝐏𝐒 𝐀𝐫𝐭 𝐀𝐰𝐚𝐫𝐞𝐧𝐞𝐬𝐬 𝐂𝐨𝐦𝐩𝐞𝐭𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧, an inspiring event that brought together students, teachers, parents, and education stakeholders to 𝐩𝐫𝐨𝐦𝐨𝐭𝐞 𝐚𝐰𝐚𝐫𝐞𝐧𝐞𝐬𝐬 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐚𝐩𝐩𝐫𝐞𝐜𝐢𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐨𝐟 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐖𝐞𝐬𝐭 𝐏𝐡𝐢𝐥𝐢𝐩𝐩𝐢𝐧𝐞 𝐒𝐞𝐚 (𝐖𝐏𝐒).

The competition featured three creative categories: Poster Making, Short Story Writing, and Short Video. Through these activities, 𝐬𝐭𝐮𝐝𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐬 𝐰𝐞𝐫𝐞 𝐠𝐢𝐯𝐞𝐧 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐨𝐩𝐩𝐨𝐫𝐭𝐮𝐧𝐢𝐭𝐲 𝐭𝐨 𝐞𝐱𝐩𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐬 𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐢𝐫 𝐤𝐧𝐨𝐰𝐥𝐞𝐝𝐠𝐞, 𝐩𝐞𝐫𝐬𝐩𝐞𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐯𝐞𝐬, 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐡𝐨𝐩𝐞𝐬 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐜𝐨𝐮𝐧𝐭𝐫𝐲 𝐭𝐡𝐫𝐨𝐮𝐠𝐡 𝐚𝐫𝐭, 𝐬𝐭𝐨𝐫𝐲𝐭𝐞𝐥𝐥𝐢𝐧𝐠, 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐝𝐢𝐠𝐢𝐭𝐚𝐥 𝐦𝐞𝐝𝐢𝐚.

𝐑𝐀𝐃𝐌 𝐉𝐚𝐲 𝐓. 𝐓𝐚𝐫𝐫𝐢𝐞𝐥𝐚, PCG Spokesperson for the West Philippine Sea, delivered a message to the students and teachers in attendance, emphasizing the importance of developing a deeper understanding of the West Philippine Sea. He encouraged the 𝐲𝐨𝐮𝐭𝐡 𝐭𝐨 𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐲 𝐢𝐧𝐟𝐨𝐫𝐦𝐞𝐝, 𝐛𝐞𝐜𝐨𝐦𝐞 𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐩𝐨𝐧𝐬𝐢𝐛𝐥𝐞 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐞𝐧𝐠𝐚𝐠𝐞𝐝 𝐜𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐳𝐞𝐧𝐬, and 𝐚𝐩𝐩𝐫𝐞𝐜𝐢𝐚𝐭𝐞 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐜𝐨𝐮𝐧𝐭𝐫𝐲’𝐬 𝐦𝐚𝐫𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐦𝐞 𝐡𝐞𝐫𝐢𝐭𝐚𝐠𝐞 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐧𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐚𝐥 𝐢𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐭𝐬.

We commend the Quezon City PTA Federation – District 4 and Safe Schools Philippines for organizing this meaningful initiative and for providing a platform where 𝐲𝐨𝐮𝐧𝐠 𝐅𝐢𝐥𝐢𝐩𝐢𝐧𝐨𝐬 𝐜𝐚𝐧 𝐥𝐞𝐚𝐫𝐧, 𝐜𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐭𝐞, 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐞𝐱𝐩𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐬 𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐢𝐫 𝐩𝐞𝐫𝐬𝐩𝐞𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐯𝐞𝐬 𝐨𝐧 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐖𝐞𝐬𝐭 𝐏𝐡𝐢𝐥𝐢𝐩𝐩𝐢𝐧𝐞 𝐒𝐞𝐚. May activities like this continue to inspire the youth to become informed and engaged citizens who value our country and its maritime heritage. 🇵🇭🌊

#WestPhilippineSea
#YouthForWPS
#WPS #SafeSchoolsPhilippines
#QCPTAD4

[Jay Tarriela @jaytaryela]

Thank you, Senator Dick Gordon, for once again lending your voice to our fight in the West Philippine Sea, and for calling out the defeatist mindset that only weakens our nation's resolve. This is not a battle for the government or the uniformed services alone. We win it only with the participation of every Filipino. 🇵🇭

[West Philippine Sea Transparency Group @wpstransparency]

𝐖𝐀𝐓𝐂𝐇: 𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐖𝐄𝐒𝐓 𝐏𝐇𝐈𝐋𝐈𝐏𝐏𝐈𝐍𝐄 𝐒𝐄𝐀 𝐒𝐓𝐎𝐑𝐘 𝐑𝐄𝐀𝐂𝐇𝐄𝐒 𝐑𝐄𝐆𝐈𝐎𝐍 𝐈𝐈𝐈

For many young Filipinos, a Social Studies teacher is the first to explain the West Philippine Sea: what it is, why it is ours and why it matters.

On October 3, 2026, more than 𝟒𝟎𝟎 𝐒𝐨𝐜𝐢𝐚𝐥 𝐒𝐭𝐮𝐝𝐢𝐞𝐬 𝐭𝐞𝐚𝐜𝐡𝐞𝐫𝐬 from the 21 divisions of DepEd Region III attended the 𝐖𝐞𝐬𝐭 𝐏𝐡𝐢𝐥𝐢𝐩𝐩𝐢𝐧𝐞 𝐒𝐞𝐚 𝐒𝐲𝐦𝐩𝐨𝐬𝐢𝐮𝐦 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐒𝐨𝐜𝐢𝐚𝐥 𝐒𝐭𝐮𝐝𝐢𝐞𝐬 𝐓𝐞𝐚𝐜𝐡𝐞𝐫𝐬 at the East Gate Convention Center, San Fernando City, Pampanga. The Philippine Coast Guard–West Philippine Sea Transparency Group organized the symposium to prepare these teachers to explain the West Philippine Sea to their students.

The lecturers were 𝐑𝐞𝐚𝐫 𝐀𝐝𝐦𝐢𝐫𝐚𝐥 𝐉𝐚𝐲 𝐓𝐚𝐫𝐫𝐢𝐞𝐥𝐚, 𝐑𝐞𝐭𝐢𝐫𝐞𝐝 𝐒𝐞𝐧𝐢𝐨𝐫 𝐀𝐬𝐬𝐨𝐜𝐢𝐚𝐭𝐞 𝐉𝐮𝐬𝐭𝐢𝐜𝐞 𝐀𝐧𝐭𝐨𝐧𝐢𝐨 𝐓. 𝐂𝐚𝐫𝐩𝐢𝐨, and 𝐀𝐭𝐭𝐲. 𝐍𝐢𝐞𝐥 𝐒𝐢𝐥𝐯𝐚. They covered international maritime law, the 2016 Arbitral Award and the Philippines’ rights in the West Philippine Sea. They also showed the teachers how to spot false narratives and correct them with facts.

Earlier that day, the teachers and about 𝟏𝟎𝟎 𝐬𝐭𝐮𝐝𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐬 watched a special screening of 𝐅𝐨𝐨𝐝 𝐃𝐞𝐥𝐢𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐲: 𝐅𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐡 𝐟𝐫𝐨𝐦 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐖𝐞𝐬𝐭 𝐏𝐡𝐢𝐥𝐢𝐩𝐩𝐢𝐧𝐞 𝐒𝐞𝐚 at Robinsons Starmills. The film showed what Filipino fishermen face at sea, and how their livelihood, their safety and our food security depend on these waters.

The teachers now bring these facts and lessons back to their classrooms. There, they will help raise a generation of Filipinos who understand the West Philippine Sea and are ready to defend it.

𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐖𝐞𝐬𝐭 𝐏𝐡𝐢𝐥𝐢𝐩𝐩𝐢𝐧𝐞 𝐒𝐞𝐚 𝐢𝐬 𝐨𝐮𝐫𝐬. 𝐋𝐞𝐭'𝐬 𝐭𝐞𝐚𝐜𝐡 𝐢𝐭, 𝐤𝐧𝐨𝐰 𝐢𝐭, 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐝𝐞𝐟𝐞𝐧𝐝 𝐢𝐭. 🇵🇭

#WestPhilippineSea
#WPSTransparency #PhilippineCoastGuard #WpsEngagementInRegionIII
#TeachWPS

[West Philippine Sea Transparency Group @wpstransparency]

𝐇𝐈 𝐈’𝐌 𝐏𝐄𝐀𝐑𝐋𝐘!

𝐋𝐞𝐭’𝐬 𝐞𝐱𝐩𝐥𝐨𝐫𝐞 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐰𝐞𝐬𝐭 𝐏𝐡𝐢𝐥𝐢𝐩𝐩𝐢𝐧𝐞 𝐒𝐞𝐚! Let’s explore the facts and discover what it means to you and me.

Engage with us. Who knows? You might be the next face of my WPS Journey! 👀

#WestPhilippineSea
#WPSTransparency
#WPSPearlyEngagement

[Jay Tarriela @jaytaryela]

PCG, PN, PNP-MG TEAM RESPONDS TO DESTRUCTIVE FISHING NEAR PAG-ASA ISLAND; CHINA COAST GUARD OBSTRUCTS LAWFUL OPERATION

On 04 October 2026, an inter-agency maritime law enforcement team from the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG), the Philippine Navy, including Marines, and the PNP Maritime Group responded to a report of suspected dynamite fishing near Sandy Cays 2 and 3, about three (3) nautical miles west of Pag-asa Island, within the territorial sea of the Philippines.

The operation was led by the Coast Guard District Kalayaan Island Group (CGD KIG) under Commodore Gesulgon, under the guidance of PCG Commandant Admiral Ronnie Gil Gavan to carry out whole-of-government maritime law enforcement together with the other uniformed services on Pag-asa Island. Establishing CGD KIG has raised the PCG's presence in the Kalayaan Island Group to a new level. It allows faster response and better sustainment of operations, working closely with the Municipality of Kalayaan and other government agencies.

At around 0720H, personnel of the Joint Task Unit Pag-asa saw a foreign fishing vessel apparently doing blast fishing in the area. CGD KIG quickly formed an inter-agency team. The team deployed PCG High-Speed Response Boat HSRB-019, a Philippine Navy RHIB and rubber boat, and a PNP Maritime Group RHIB.

The team left the sheltered port of Pag-asa at 0950H. Within minutes, China Coast Guard vessels 5102 and 21581 moved toward its path. They sounded their horns and radio-challenged the Philippine team inside Philippine territorial waters.

At around 1000H, the team reached the fishing vessel about 500 meters east-southeast of Sandy Cay 2. The small boats that were reportedly doing the blasting had already returned to the mother boat. The team ordered the vessel to stop and radioed it several times. The vessel ignored these orders and sailed southwest toward Zamora (Subi) Reef.

While the team followed the vessel, CCG 21581 shadowed and blocked the Philippine boats. At one point it came within about ten (10) yards of HSRB-019. At 1013H, a People's Liberation Army Navy helicopter (tail number 09) circled over the team four times.

At 1023H, about 1.2 nautical miles east-southeast of Sandy Cay 5, the team stopped following the vessel for safety reasons. All personnel returned safely to Pag-asa at 1048H.

Dynamite fishing destroys coral reefs and the fish stocks that Filipino fishermen in the Kalayaan Island Group depend on. It is prohibited under the Philippine Fisheries Code. The PCG stresses that this was a routine law enforcement operation against an illegal and destructive practice. It was not directed at any country. The incident will be documented and referred through the Department of Foreign Affairs for appropriate action through existing channels.

The China Coast Guard has no law enforcement authority in the territorial sea of Pag-asa Island. By obstructing Philippine authorities, the CCG did not protect the marine environment. It made it easier for a suspected violator to escape. The deployment of a PLA Navy helicopter over a civilian law enforcement operation in Philippine territorial waters is an unnecessary act of intimidation. Any claim that the CCG "handled" the situation or "expelled" Philippine vessels is false.

The PCG, together with the Philippine Navy and the PNP Maritime Group, will continue to enforce Philippine laws and protect the marine resources around Pag-asa Island and the Kalayaan Island Group. This mission is in accordance with the guidance of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr., who has called for firm national resolve in defending what is ours and for responsible stewardship of the country's marine resources.

[Jay Tarriela @jaytaryela]

The China Coast Guard's National Day flag-raising ceremony near Bajo de Masinloc, described as "keeping watch over China's maritime sovereignty," is a misleading portrayal of the reality on the ground.

Bajo de Masinloc is an integral part of Philippine territory. Under the Philippine Maritime Zones Act and UNCLOS, it has a 12-nautical-mile territorial sea and a contiguous zone extending to 24 nautical miles. This is reflected in the official nautical chart the Philippines deposited with the United Nations in July. The waters beyond fall within the Philippine Exclusive Economic Zone. The CCG personnel stationed there are operating in waters that do not belong to China. Their use of water cannons and dangerous maneuvers against Filipino fishermen and Philippine government vessels is not law enforcement. It is coercion meant to impose an illegal claim.

It is unfortunate that China's own personnel bear the cost of this policy. On 11 August 2025, CCG 3104 collided with a PLA Navy destroyer while aggressively pursuing BRP Suluan. Beijing kept silent for a year before acknowledging that two of its coast guard officers, aged 21 and 25, lost their lives, and then honored them as "martyrs."

We sympathize with their families. But these young officers were not lost defending sovereignty. They were sacrificed to a reckless and unlawful policy. No flag-raising ceremony can conceal that truth.

[Jay Tarriela @jaytaryela]

DFA STATEMENT IN REPLY TO THE STATEMENT OF DEPUTY SPOKESPERSON OF THE CHINESE EMBASSY

MANILA 02 October 2026 - The Department firmly and strongly rejects the Chinese Embassy's assertion that China has sovereign rights and jurisdiction in the waters off Batanes.

The Chinese research and survey vessel JIA HAI KE 7 was detected operating approximately 37 nautical miles northwest of Itbayat, Batanes, well within the Philippines Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ).

The Department affirms that the Philippine Coast Guard was conducting lawful and routine law enforcement operations in response to a suspected unauthorized Marine Scientific Research (MSR) activity in the waters off Batanes.

Under Article 246 of UNCLOS, marine scientific research in the EEZ and on the continental shelf shall be conducted with the consent of the coastal State. The Philippines did not receive any request from the Chinese side and no consent has been given to any Chinese vessel to conduct MSR.

We strongly call on China to fulfill its obligations under international law and avoid actions that are counter-productive and undermine efforts to rebuild mutual trust.

The Philippines will continue to uphold the country's sovereign rights and jurisdiction in its EEZ peacefully and responsibly in accordance with international law.

END