“We are not bystanders in the unfolding narrative of our region, dapat tayong makialam.” – Dr. Pablo S. Crespo Jr., University President

Around 500 participants from University of Antique convened at the Paghiusa Hall of the Main Campus as the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG), Philippine Information Agency (PIA), and National Youth Commission (NYC) teamed up for the first ever Visayas leg of the West Philippine Sea (WPS) Symposium, April 3, 2025.

Commodore Jay Tristan Tarriela, PCG Spokesperson for WPS, discussed the Philippines’ Sovereign Rights and Maritime Security in WPS including their efforts to continue holding the line to assert Filipinos’ rights and territorial claims against China’s outright violations of international law.

“Bilang mga Kabataang Pilipino ay kailangan niyo’ng maintindihan ang laban natin sa West Philippine Sea… Ang laban ng WPS ay hindi lamang laban ng Armed Forces of the Philippines, ng PCG, hindi lamang ito laban ni Pangulong Bongbong Marcos. Laban natin ito bilang mga Pilipino.”

Asec. Karl Josef Legazpi, NYC Commissioner-at-Large and Director General Katherine Chloe S. De Castro of PIA, both highlighted the role of the youth in educating fellow Filipinos regarding the country’s sovereign rights in the WPS through using their voices and social media platforms to spread awareness and combat fake news.

Among the student participants were from the College of Criminal Justice Education (CCJE), College of Maritime Studies (CMS), College of Arts and Sciences (CAS), College of Teacher Education (CTE), representatives from student publications, and members of the academe’s Executive Committee.

The WPS Symposium in UA is spearheaded by the PIA VI with its Regional Head Cheryl B. Amor, Asst. Regional Head Easter Anne D. Doza, Mr. Franz Remar Garion, Information Officer II, PIA VI, Ms. Pilar S. Mabaquiao, Government Information Center Coordinator, PIA Antique, and Mr. Alex Lumaque, Government Information Center Coordinator, PIA Capiz.