Youth joins West Philippine Sea forum in Butuan City

From the Philippine Information Agency (Jan 29): Youth joins West Philippine Sea forum in Butuan City 

BUTUAN CITY - More than 200 students and campus youth leaders from different colleges and universities attended the Campus Forum on West Philippine Sea (WPS) Issue on Wednesday at Father Saturnino Urios University (FSUU), this city.

The forum, organized by the Philippine Information Agency (PIA) Caraga and Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA), in partnership with the civil military operations (CMO) battalion, 4th Infantry Division, Philippine Army (PA), aims to raise awareness among the youth regarding the WPS issues and concerns and elicit the desired attitude toward and support for the Philippine position and initiatives in resolving the dispute.

“Everybody knows that China values its image in global arena to sustain its status in the region that’s why we are trying to engage with our other friend nations in order for us to attain our goal in advancing the country’s national interests in its territorial claims and exercise of its rights at its Exclusive Economic Zone,” enunciated Ma. Teresa Almojuela, guest speaker and DFA's senior assistant of the undersecretary for policy.

Almojuela discussed further that the web of relationship with other nations is important to have inclusive rules-based security level. And it encompasses arbitration as a way to resolve dispute. “The United States of America is helping the Philippines through enhanced defense cooperation agreement to strengthen alliance including disaster relief in a broader scope. We are clearly establishing a strong platform of engagement with the U.S.,” she added.

As the forum seeks for youth involvement, Lt Col Arlino Sendaidiego, International Relations Officer, 4ID, PA also mentioned in his message that in upholding the national interest, which includes the economy, the young people of today must take part in protecting and defending the areas under our jurisdiction by supporting the Philippine government’s approach to resolve the dispute.

Sendaidiego also stressed, "now is the appropriate time to rekindle a dose of patriotism. Patriotism literally means an expression of love and pride for our native land, and for us Filipinos, it is also seen as an act of defending what is truly and legally ours - the West Philippine Sea."

“With your presence and involvement in today’s activity, you are actually taking a step ahead in participating to nation building as we aim to gain a strategic advantage in pursuit of resolving the West Philippine Sea dispute. Let us join hand-in-hand in facing a great deal of challenge in safeguarding our territorial integrity and sovereignty through a peaceful and diplomatic approach to settling the West Philippine Sea dispute rather than sit and be complacent about the issue,” emphasized Sendaidiego.

Meanwhile, Lyndon Buque, director of Human Resource Management & Development of (FSUU ) also expressed that the institution is one with the Philippine government in its claim with its legitimate rights. FSUU provided the venue for the campus forum as a support to the WPS advocacy campaign.

http://news.pia.gov.ph/article/view/2761453999596/youth-joins-west-philippine-sea-forum-in-butuan-city-