DFA, PIA conduct multi-sectoral forum on West Philippine Sea information and advocacy

From the Philippine News Agency (Jan 26): DFA, PIA conduct multi-sectoral forum on West Philippine Sea information and advocacy

BUTUAN CITY -- The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) and Public Information Agency (PIA) conducted a multi-sectoral forum on West Philippine Sea Information and Advocacy Campaign today, Tuesday.

The activity held at Dottie’s Place Hotel and Restaurant, J.C. Aquino Ave., this city was attended by representatives from various sectors here in the city which included the various line agencies, Philippine Army, Philippine National Police, Butuan City LGU, indigenous people, academe, business, religious, fisherfolk and farmers.

Guests in the forum were Director Maria Teresa Torres Almojuela, Executive Director, Maritime and Ocean Affairs Office of the DFA, Staff Director Emelyn Libunao, of the Program Management Divison, from the Public Information Agency (PIA) Central Office and PIA Regional Director Abner Caga. Tuesday's event is part of the three-day activity that started with a press forum with the local newsmen on Monday and schools’ visitation and forum on Wednesday.

Invited guest Secretary Herminio "Sonny" Coloma of the Presidential Communications and Operations Office (PCOO) was not able to make it as the Palace was preparing for the visit of Japan’s emperor and empress also today, according to Director Libunao. He, however, greeted the participants through video.

Director Almojuela briefed the participants on the West Philippine Sea issue followed by a dynamic open forum with keen questions posed by the sectoral participants. A focused group discussion was also conducted in the afternoon.

During yesterday’s press forum, PIA Staff Director Emelyn Libunao said that the issue on West Philippine Sea is one of the advocacy campaigns of PIA in coordination with the DFA. “This is one of our activities to help disseminate proper information to our stakeholders especially on the government’s position on this very relevant matter,” Libunao said.

Director Maria Teresa Torres Almojuela of the DFA Maritime and Ocean Affairs Office said “This is actually a usual maritime dispute and in negotiating our claims it should be along the legal laws. We have to fight for our legitimate rights. This is to be a long game but the more we educate our people, the more we will be firm with our position of the case filed by the government before the Arbitral Tribunal,” Almojuela said.

http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=2&sid=&nid=2&rid=850657