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