THE Political-Military and External Affairs Unit Chief of the US Department of State, US Embassy Manila Carl Rian Jensen and Pauline Piczon, Political Assistant on Rule of Law and Counterterrorism met with the National Youth Movement for the West Philippine Sea (NYMWPS) officials and members recently, says Dr. Celia Lamkin, the organization’s founder and global chairperson.
A hybrid meeting was set up at the Sangguniang Bayan Session Hall of the Kalayaan Municipality Extension Office in Puerto Princesa City, Palawan, Philippines.
Those who attended the meeting physically and virtually in Palawan were:
Hon. Maurice Phillip Albayda, NYMWPS National Chairperson, a councilor of the Kalayaan Municipality, NYMWPS Kalayaan Chapter members Hon. Billy Alindogan, Vice-Mayor of Kalayaan Municipality, Hon. Eugenio Bitoon-on, NYMWPS Councilor and former Kalayaan Municipality Mayor, Engr. Reniel Rocaberte, NYMWPS Palawan Chapter Chair, Francisco Baluyut, NYMWPS Palawan chapter President, and Chinalyn Belidan, NYMWPS Kalayaan chapter member.
And those who attended the meeting via zoom from Guam, USA, San Francisco, California, USA, Manila, Philippines were:
Dr. Celia Lamkin, chair of the NYMWPS Board of Trustees; Usec. Eduardo Mañalac former undersecretary of the Philippines’ Department of Energy and former president of the Philippine National Oil Company (PNOC), a member of the NYMWPS Board of Trustees; Capt. Caruso Mario Antonio Tagal, former miltary pilot of the Philippine Air Force and retired airline pilot of the Philippine Air Lines (PAL) and NYMWPS Director of Membership and BOT member; Prof. Ron Lamkin, NYMWPS member, adviser and consultant; Engr. Rad Abarrientos, NYMWPS California , USA State Chair; Mr. Gerald Miranda, NYMWPS former National Chairperson and BOT member; and Alphonse Vita, NYMWPS Membership Committee Chair.
Lamkin introduced the mission and goals of the NYMWPS and MP Albayda presented the NYMWPS accomplishments through out the last eight years. Jensen asked on how the movement was able to provide the basic commodities to the troops at the BRP Sierra Madre in Ayungin Shoal or Second Thomas Shoal as described in the accomplishments. It was explained that the movement has been working closely and collaborating with the Western Command (WESCOM) in the realization of the delivery of such goods.
One of the issues raised in the meeting by Jensen was the recent incident about China’s aggression when the resupply vessel in Ayungin shoal was water cannoned by the Chinese Coast Guard which was inevitably denounced by the movement.
Lamkin suggested the shiprider's program approach between the US through the US Coast Guard and the Philippines to protect the Philippines against Illegal, Unreported, and Unregulated fishing, other illegal activities, and to deter uninvited vessels from conducting questionable maneuvers within our exclusive economic zone. Hence, it will help to have peace, security and stability in the West Philippine Sea.
The connection of energy security and its linkages to national security was opened up by Lamkin. Usec. Eduardo Manalac elaborated on how the economic antics of some investors maneuvered the transfer of operations in Malampaya. Jensen commented that the 30/70 provision in the constitution might limit the opportunity for greater foreign investors to enter the Philippine market in the energy sector.
The fisheries sector is seen to be more sustainable in the realization of control and occupation of the West Philippine Sea. Further, seismic survey has been considered to finally establish territorial evidence that the West Philippine Sea is an extended continental shelf of the mainland Palawan. Hence, without the study, West Philippine Sea will remain a "deeply contested space" as described by Jensen.
The meeting was concluded with regard to the profound role of youth to raise awareness in the preservation and protection of the Country's sovereignty and sovereign rights in the western border.
Lamkin added, “ One fact remained unchanged since the Philippines won in the arbitration case against China’s nine-dash line claims in the Arbitral Tribunal on July 12, 2016, the quote that I uttered: The victory of our West Philippine Sea is the victory of every Filipino.”
The National Youth Movement for the West Philippine Sea is a transglobal organization that advocates for the preservation of the Philippines’ sovereignty and territorial integrity. (PR)
