Analyst says consistent, unwavering support to PH claim in West PH Sea must be the FIlipinos' attitude following China's latest aggression

Transcript

00:00 For an expert, it is very important that our collective resolve as a nation in claiming

00:05 what is rightfully ours should never ever waver, especially amid a deliberate and calculated

00:11 wave of disinformation from a foreign aggressor that is determined to stake its claim on a

00:16 body of water, a piece of territory that is clearly miles away from its exclusive economic

00:22 zone.

00:23 Rod Lagusan tells us more.

00:27 Consistent and unwavering support to our country's claim in the West Philippine Sea.

00:31 This should be the attitude of Filipinos according to an analyst.

00:34 Following China's latest actions, the recent water cannon incident and its continuous disinformation.

00:38 Dr. Sherwin Ona, West Philippine Sea analyst and associate professor at the De La Salle

00:43 University explained this is part of China's long-term strategy.

00:46 He added there is a need for a "Woolob Society" approach as this issue involves every Filipina

00:51 and will benefit future generations.

00:53 "We should make it more consistent, we should push for the right information.

01:00 Our narrative should be more robust.

01:05 Because now, you will see that our narratives are incoherent.

01:11 We should unify that and show it not only to our fellow Filipinos but to the whole world."

01:19 According to Ona, China's action to assert its belief the disputed territories belong

01:22 to them and at the same time convince the international community.

01:25 "If we look at what we are doing, this is part of China's so-called grey zone tactics

01:35 to show us that we are willing to enforce our beliefs and this is what we will do to

01:45 you.

01:46 We will laser point you."

01:51 What's more concerning according to Ona are the things that are not seen, such as disinformation,

01:55 altering stories about what's really happened in the West Philippine Sea, including blaming

01:59 the Philippines.

02:00 Ona also emphasizes the importance of looking at China's playbook, where it avoids escalation

02:04 to an armed conflict, but still prepare for it.

02:07 "The most important thing here is the truth.

02:11 Who has the truth?

02:14 Who is right?

02:16 Who is being defended by the arbitral tribunal for instance?

02:21 Maybe what we need to do here in our country, our government and the whole country is to

02:31 push that truth."

02:33 To counter disinformation, according to Ona, it is important for the country to be observant

02:37 and critical in correcting misinformation.

02:40 Rod Laguzad, For The Nation.