MANILA – Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) spokesperson Commodore Jay Tarriela on Tuesday (18 Feb 2025) denied referring to Sagip Party-list Rep. Rodante Marcoleta as a “traitor” after the lawmaker claimed there is no such thing as the West Philippine Sea (WPS), asserting that it is merely part of the South China Sea.

During a House Tri Committee hearing, Marcoleta expressed frustration over accusations from social media users labeling him a traitor, following his statement that the WPS is not recognized internationally or present on any official maps.

In response, Tarriela clarified, “I did not use the word ‘traitor’ to describe your remarks about the WPS being a ‘figment of the imagination,'” referring to Marcoleta’s earlier statement. He emphasized his position, quoting a post from X (formerly Twitter): “I stand by the statement of President Marcos that the West Philippine Sea is not just a figment of imagination; it is ours and will remain ours as long as the spirit of our beloved country burns.”

Tarriela expressed concern about Marcoleta’s statement, which he considered damaging to the Philippines’ territorial claim and an embarrassment to both the lawmaker’s party and family. He criticized the idea of dismissing the WPS as non-existent, suggesting it would undermine future generations’ efforts to assert their rights over the country’s exclusive economic zone.

However, Marcoleta maintained his stance that the WPS is not yet an internationally recognized entity, as it has not been registered with the International Hydrographic Organization (IHO). He also criticized Tarriela for not clarifying the issue sooner, stressing that his reputation was at stake due to the ongoing misconception.

Tarriela responded, stating that he had no obligation to defend Marcoleta from social media accusations, especially since the lawmaker is a candidate for the Senate under the slate of former president Rodrigo Duterte. He also questioned why he should defend someone who had called him a “fool” and “ignorant” in public interviews.

Marcoleta reiterated his request for Tarriela to publicly deny calling him a traitor, pointing out that his silence had led to widespread misinformation. He further explained that he wanted to clarify that the WPS has not yet been officially registered, and recent legislative measures were merely preparatory for future registration.

To address the growing concerns, Marcoleta proposed that misinformation, particularly from social media influencers, should be avoided. He reiterated that while the WPS belongs to the Philippines, efforts should be made to officially register the name to prevent future misconceptions.

Tarriela, in turn, advocated for legislation to combat online disinformation, particularly regarding the WPS. He stressed the detrimental effects of fake news and misinformation, which not only confuse the public but also hinder national efforts to assert sovereignty in the region.

ia/mnm