Philippine Coast Guard (PCG)’s spokesperson Commodore Jay Tarriela slammed Sagip party-list Rep. Rodante Marcoleta for questioning the use of the term “West Philippine Sea”, arguing that doing so weakens the country’s claim to its exclusive economic zone (EEZ) in the disputed waters.

Tarriela responded to Marcoleta’s recent remarks that the term was rooted in ignorance, emphasizing its legality under Philippine law. “There is nothing illegal about enshrining the term in our laws. One should never dismiss a term that strengthens the country’s connection to its own EEZ,” Tarriela said in a post on X on February 10 night.

He questioned how the international community could be expected to support the Philippines’ use of the term if local leaders themselves undermine it. “How will the world support our use of the term if we ourselves undermine it? Fortunately, the majority of Filipinos recognize and use the term,” he said.

According to Tarriela, the term symbolizes Filipinos’ rights and aspirations concerning marine resources within the EEZ. “The term is widely embraced by our countrymen and symbolizes their rights and aspirations concerning the marine resources within our own Exclusive Economic Zone. It is also utilized by our military and coast guard personnel as they fulfill their patriotic duty, often at the risk of their own safety and convenience,” he said. 

Marcoleta calls Tarriela “ignorant”

In an interview on February 10, Marcoleta called Tarriela “ignorant” about the status of the West Philippine Sea on the world stage, arguing that the term does not appear on international maps. He challenged Tarriela to prove its existence or resign.

“Even if we name our exclusive economic zone or not, let’s fight for it until the last drop of our blood. That’s ours. But we should not be dumb and ignorant like that commodore. He did not understand that it (West Philippine Sea) has not yet been written on the map of the world and its oceans. He should look for it there and once he finds it — let him find it then we can talk,” Marcoleta said.

He added: “If he can see it, he should show it to my face. If he could not see it in the oceans of the world map, he should resign as commodore because he doesn’t understand anything.”

Tarriela expresses disappointment

Tarriela described Marcoleta’s remarks as “disheartening”, pointing out that Marcoleta was part of the 19th Congress that passed Republic Act 12064, or the Philippine Maritime Zones Act.

“It’s disheartening to hear a congressman from the 19th Congress, who passed Republic Act 12064, or the Philippine Maritime Zones Act, claim that the legal institutionalization of the term ‘West Philippine Sea’ is rooted in ignorance,” he said.

He argued that if the area is part of the Philippines’ EEZ, it is only logical to name it. “If you believe that this is part of our Exclusive Economic Zone, why should we not name it? What should we call it?”

At a press conference via Zoom on February 12, Tarriela asked Marcoleta why the Philippines cannot name its own EEZ, the West Philippine Sea, if it belongs to the country. “Why are we not allowed to name it? What is your recommendation?” 

The West Philippine Sea refers to the part of the South China Sea on the western side of the Philippines, where the country has maritime rights. The term was officially adopted in 2012 when then-President Benigno Aquino III issued an administrative order renaming portions of the South China Sea within the country’s EEZ.

Ongoing dispute

The conflict between Tarriela and Marcoleta began when Marcoleta publicly declared that the West Philippine Sea does not exist, calling it a creation by Filipinos.

“There is nothing as West Philippine Sea. There’s no such thing,” he said during a House of Representatives hearing. “That is a creation by us. The truth is, when you look at the map, there is no West Philippine Sea,” Marcoleta said on February 4.

In response, Tarriela called Marcoleta’s remarks a “disservice and an embarrassment to their entire party, the organization they belong to, and even their own family.”

“There’s no issue with it, except for those who seem to create problems with it, like senatorial candidate Marcoleta,” he added.

Marcoleta, who is running as an independent candidate for the Senate in this year’s midterm elections, has faced criticism from advocates of the Philippines’ maritime claims under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) for his controversial statements.

“I think this is the right time for our voters to consider whether these candidates support our fight in the West Philippine Sea,” Tarriela said when asked for further comments during February 12’s Zoom press conference. 

PCG blocks Chinese vessel

Meanwhile, amid the controversy, Tarriela reported on February 11 night that the PCG’s BRP Cabra prevented the Chinese Coast Guard ship CCG-3304 from approaching the Zambales coastline, keeping it 78 to 85 nautical miles away from the Philippines’ EEZ.

He said the smaller 44-meter-long BRP Cabra also confronted Lan Hai 101, one of China’s largest fisheries research ships, operating approximately 25 nautical miles off the coast of Pangasinan.

The PCG maintained that the Chinese vessels’ activities violated the Philippine Maritime Zones Act, the UNCLOS, and the 2016 Arbitral Award.

“We will not allow any alterations to the status quo through encroachment on Luzon’s coastline,” Tarriela said in a statement sent on Viber.

“The continued presence of BRP Cabra illustrates our unwavering dedication to upholding our sovereign rights and a firm stance against violations of international law, all while prioritizing a peaceful resolution,” he added.

Photo credit: West Philippine Sea FB page. Commodore Jay Tarriela, Philippine Coast Guard’s spokesperson for the West Philippine Sea.