The Philippines has taken a creative and proactive approach to asserting its rights in the West Philippine Sea (WPS), using storytelling as a tool to educate and inspire its citizens.
The government recently launched a comic book titled “The Stories of Teacher Jun”, which teaches Filipinos about maritime sovereignty, international law, and the importance of safeguarding the country’s marine resources.
The 40-page comic book follows Teacher Jun as he explains maritime zones and sovereignty rights to his students. Through relatable lessons, the story highlights the significance of the West Philippine Sea, the maritime areas along the western side of the Philippine archipelago within the country’s 200-nautical-mile exclusive economic zone.
Speaking at the book’s launch on January 24, National Security Adviser Eduardo Año urged Filipinos to use the comic book as a resource to understand their maritime rights.
“We encourage the public, the children, everyone of all ages to read so we can understand in layman’s terms what our rights, territory, and claims in the West Philippine Sea,” Año said in Filipino.
Año emphasized the book’s ability to reach Filipinos in even the most remote areas. “Especially those living in remote areas without access to social media. In a simple way, they will understand the message of the Filipino people that the West Philippine Sea is ours. This is not just a figment of imagination.”
He also highlighted the comic book’s role in combating disinformation. “This comic book strengthens our goal to fight any attempts to blur something that is clear and true – that we own the West Philippine Sea,” Año told reporters during the launch in Manila.
Educational initiative
The National Task Force for the West Philippine Sea (NTF-WPS) and the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) collaborated to create and launch the comic book.
PCG chief Admiral Ronnie Gil Gavan explained the purpose of the initiative, describing it as a way to inspire pride and national responsibility.
“This comic book is a testament to how stories can be wielded to inform, to inspire, and to ignite action,” Gavan said during the launch.
Gavan noted that private sector donations fully funded the project. “Through its pages, we hope to spark curiosity, inspire pride, and empower our youth to protect what is rightfully ours,” he said.
He also pointed out that the comic book goes beyond education. “This book is not merely a teaching tool; again, this is a call to action.”
To ensure the accuracy of the content, the government had the book reviewed by the Department of Foreign Affairs, the Department of Justice, and other relevant agencies.

Education Secretary Sonny Angara joined the Philippine Coast Guard for the launch of the comic book “The Stories of Teacher Jun” on January 24.

PCG personnel, led by Commodore Jay Tarriela (right), posed for a group photo during the book launch on January 24, 2025.
China’s aggression fuels need for education
Año accused China of spreading disinformation and violating the Philippines’ sovereignty in the West Philippine Sea. “Every lawful operation of the Philippines has been met with a barrage of false narratives from China,” he said.
He described China’s actions in the South China Sea as “illegal, coercive, aggressive, and deceptive” and accused Beijing of using state-sponsored media to undermine Manila’s efforts.
“Chinese officials, along with state-sponsored media and individuals, continue to spread distorted and twisted narratives to malign our efforts and justify their unilateral claims,” Año said.
China’s sweeping claims over the South China Sea directly challenge the 2016 international tribunal ruling, which invalidated Beijing’s assertions. However, China has continued to deploy its coast guard and militia vessels in the area, frequently clashing with Philippine forces.
The Philippines is using the comic book, available in both English and Filipino, to inspire Filipinos to stand up to China’s actions in the West Philippine Sea and plans to distribute it nationwide.
The initiative aims “to reinforce the awakened patriotism of Filipinos, especially when we confront China’s aggression,” Commodore Jay Tarriela, PCG spokesperson for the West Philippine Sea, said.
Reaching the public
So far, the government has distributed 11,000 copies of the comic book for free, with plans to print thousands more based on funding from donors.
According to Tarriela, the comic book tells the story of a student’s fisherman father whose livelihood suffers due to the presence of Chinese Coast Guard vessels. Through simple analogies, such as house fences and backyards, Teacher Jun explains international law to his students, helping them understand complex legal concepts.
The character of Teacher Jun resembles President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., who has consistently upheld the Philippines’ rights in the West Philippine Sea.
“The reproduction of this comic book is dependent on the donors,” Tarriela said, noting that no public funds were spent on the project.
Gavan expressed hope that the comic book would empower readers to take action. “This moment is not just about unveiling a comic book; it is a bold statement of our commitment to fostering a generation rooted in its identity and resolute in its purpose,” he said.
Fighting disinformation through storytelling
Año praised the use of comics as an effective medium for countering China’s propaganda. According to him, many Filipinos “struggle to grasp the significance of the West Philippine Sea, and comics can be a powerful and effective medium.”
Meanwhile, the Chinese Embassy in Manila criticized the initiative, calling it “political manipulation”.
Despite this, the government remains committed to using the comic book to spread awareness about the 2016 ruling by the Permanent Court of Arbitration, which upheld the Philippines’ claims and invalidated China’s.
Beijing continues to reject the ruling and has intensified its activities in the region, deploying coast guard and militia ships hundreds of kilometers from its mainland.
As the comic book reaches more Filipinos, the government hopes it will inspire a deeper understanding of the West Philippine Sea and ignite a collective resolve to protect the country’s maritime rights.
All photos credit: National Library of the Philippines, Department of Education and West Philippine Sea.
Top photo: From left, National Security Adviser Eduardo Año, Cesar Gilbert Adriano, director, National Library, PCG chief Admiral Ronnie Gil Gavan, and PCG’s spokesperson for the West Philippine Sea Jay Tarriela posed with a giant copy of the book “The Stories of Teacher Jun” during its launch at the National Library of the Philippines in Manila, January 24, 2025.