Fishermen who joined the second Atin Ito-led civilian mission to Scarborough Shoal on May 16, 2024. Maria Tan, ABS-CBN News/File

MANILA — Inclusion of the West Philippine Sea in the school curriculum should be mandatory at all levels, groups said Thursday as they called for the creation of a West Philippine Sea Institute in response to increasingly aggressive moves by China in the Philippine exclusive economic zone.

China has had a National Institute for South China Sea Studies in Hainan province since 1996.

In batting for lessons on the West Philippine Sea, Akbayan Party-list and the Atin Ito coalition underscored the need to dispel "false narratives" and disinformation among the Filipino people, especially the youth.

Akbayan president Rafaela David, who is also co-convenor of Atin Ito, called on President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. to issue an executive order for "a clear framework and process on the institutionalized and mandatory teaching of the history, geography and legality of the West Philippine Sea at all levels of education."

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David said the EO should direct the Department of Education, Commission on Higher Education, and other educational institutions to work with legal experts, the academe, and professionals on a curriculum that will cover the historical roots, geopolitical significance and bases in international law for Philippine sovereignty over the West Philippine Sea.

She said the 2016 ruling of the Permanent Court of Arbitration should also be included in the proposed initiative.

Akbayan Party-list first nominee Chel Diokno, a lawyer, said the government must prioritize dispelling "false narratives" and disinformation among the Filipino people — especially the youth — and teaching them the significance of the waters.

"Sa sobrang pagkalat ng fake news, talagang calculated yan. Hindi lang tayo ang target niyan, kungdi ang kabataang Pilipino. So kung wala tayong pushback, baka madala sila sa nakikita nila sa social media platforms na di totoo," Diokno added.

(With the spread of fake news, that's really calculated. We're not the only targets, but also the youth. So if we don't push back, they might believe false claims they see on social media)

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Atin Ito coalition co-convenor Edicio dela Torre emphasized the need to educate the youth, citing how China teaches its students.

"This is a generational fight, hindi ito mangyayari overnight(This will not happen overnight). So we have to invest in education, both formal and non-informal," he said. 

Retired Supreme Court Associate Justice Antonio Carpio reiterated the country has sovereignty over the West Philippine Sea, giving us the right to name the territory.

"Yung West Philippine Sea is expressly mentioned in the Philippines Maritime Zones Act that was recently passed by Congress. It was passed in the House without any negative vote. Nobody opposed the bill, not even Marcoleta opposed the bill," Carpio said.

Carpio and Diokno were referring to Sagip Party-list Rep. Rodante Marcoleta's statements that the West Philippine Sea is "a creation by us" during a House hearing.

Marcoleta has insisted the name must be recognized by the International Hydrographic Organization to be valid but said the area belongs to the Philippines.

"It is technically defined as our maritime zones facing the South China Sea. So I do not know why anyone will say, especially a member of the House would say that there is no such thing. Nasa batas, which they enacted," Carpio said of the resource-rich waters.

"Nakakababa sa mga Coast Guard na araw-araw nilalaban ang ating teritoryo. Kung isulong natin ang batas sa education, pati mga bata ma-cacall out si Marcoleta," Diokno explained.

(It is insulting to the Coast Guard that asserts our sovereignty in our territory daily. If we push for this, even children will be able to call Marcoleta out)

Carpio emphasized the need to create a common narrative on the Philippines' territorial claims.

"Dalawang disputes yung sa West Philippine Sea, maritime and the territory. Yung maritime panalo na tayo kasi common narrative natin we base it on the [UN Convention on the Law of the Sea]. Yung sa territory iba-iba tayo eh," Carpio explained.

(There are two disputes in the West Philippine Sea, maritime and territorial. We already agree that we base it on UNCLOS in terms of the maritime dispute, but we differ on territory)

He recommended starting with the 1735 Murillo Velarde map, which shows the Scarborough Shoal and Spratly Islands. 

CREATION OF WEST PH SEA INSTITUTE

The groups also pitched the creation of the West Philippine Sea Institute to conduct maritime research, resource exploration, and the country's exclusive economic zone.

"This institute will serve as a premier think tank and research hub, bringing together experts, scholars, and policymakers to craft data-driven strategies that will strengthen our nation’s economic, historical, and cultural ties to the West Philippine Sea," David said. 

"By fostering in-depth research, public education, and policy innovation, the institute will not only safeguard the sovereignty and biodiversity of our maritime domain but also promote its responsible use for future generations," she added.

Diokno said the creation of the institute will help those teaching the West Philippine Sea to students.

The group also called on Congress to enact a law declaring July 12 as "National West Philippine Sea Day" to celebrate the historic ruling at the Hague.

Akbayan Party-List Rep. Perci Cendaña filed House Resolution No. 2234, among other measures on the matter.

The lawmaker also called on Congress to prioritize the Armed Forces of the Philippines modernization program to defend our territories and sovereignty.

"Panahon na po (It is time) to put our money where our mouth is to express our priority in the West Philippine Sea by investing in defending the West Philippine Sea," Cendaña said.

Diokno said funding is also needed for the Philippine Coast Guard and Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources.

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