MANILA, Philippines — Retired Philippine Navy Commander Leysander Ordones believes that the best way to maintain Philippines presence and rightful claims in the West Philippines Sea is by occupying geographical territories and vigorously enforcing maritime patrols in the Exclusive Economic Zone.

In a recently-concluded forum organized by the National Youth Movement for the West Philippines Sea, Ordones added that “because of these positive actions, we also ensure the safety, security and well-being of our Filipino fishermen and merchant ships.”

The forum came a week after the violent incident on June 17 following the most brazen act of aggression by China wherein the China Coast Guard rammed, blocked, towed, and punched the Rigid Hull Inflatable Boat (RHIB) of the Armed Forces of the Philippines on a critical humanitarian rotation and resupply mission at BRP Sierra Madre grounded on Ayungin Shoal.

CCG personnel brandished bolos and axes, employed blaring sirens and blinding strobe lights to “create chaos, disrupt communication” injuring seven navy personnel including one who lost a finger in scuffle. CCG successfully prevented Philippine sailors from going to Ayungin.

The NYMWPS condemns in the strongest possible terms the barbaric and inhumane planned attack of China Coast Guard against the Philippines sailors who stood their ground and bravely fought back.

Following the brutal attack, Dra. Celia Lamkin, founder and global chairperson of NYMWPS, said that “We were closely monitoring the recent incident on June 17. We believe that our military men who were part of the rotation and reprovisioning (RoRe) mission at BRP Sierra Madre in Ayungin Shoal were intentionally harassed and injured by the China Coast Guard and they absolutely deserve justice.”

Maverick Paul Bersalona, NYMWPS national chairperson, supported Ordenes call for resolve on the escalating incidents in the West Philippines Sea, “rather than glorifying the Filipino resilience.”

“We call on our government leaders to act on this matter speedily with deep discernment, for the welfare of our troops, fishermen and communities in our West Philippines Sea,” added Bersalona, also the director for internal affairs and membership for youth sector.

Also discussed in the forum were preparedness of military men in the RoRe mission; measures to avoid a repeat of the June 17 violent incident; impact of escalating aggression of China on the lives of the fishermen in the West Philippines Sea as well as in the international community; resources in the WPS such as oil and gas; and money from the Malampaya Gas Field that can be used for AFP modernization, provide big fishing boats for fishermen and build schools and hospitals and the like.

Ordenes emphasized the importance of the forum in upholding the principles of democracy in the Philippines.

“The webinar organized by NYMWPS last June 25 is a testament to the quality of democracy, law and order and the soverignty of the Republic of the Philippines,” Ordenes stressed.

Ordenes was the Director for Operations of the Naval Forces West for Human and Material Assets, environmental science educator of Frost Valley YMCA at Catskills, New York, USA and professor in Marine Science at Catalina Island, California, USA.

Around 15 countries were represented by 150 participants in the forum composed of students, professors, teachers, retired and active military personnel, army reservists, private security guards, Department of National Defense, Armed Forces of the Philippines, Philippine Navy, Philippine Army, Philippine Coast Guard, National Bureau of Investigation, Philippine National Police, ROTC officers, diplomats, foreign guest experts, NGOs, medical personnel, business groups among others.

Lamkin was quoted as saying “The NYMWPS has been conducting these fora and international conferences since 2015 to create public awareness and provide public education for the Filipino people and the international community on the issues, current events and breaking news about the West Philippines Sea.”

To date, the NYMWPS has hosted and sponsored 13 virtual international conferences since 2020 and more than 55 West Philippines Sea fora since 2015.

One of the goals of NYMWPS is to protect the welfare and rights of the Filipino people within the sectors of the West Philippines Sea such as the Scarborough Shoal and Kalayaan firshermen, civilian and military residents of Pag-asa island and the rest of the Kalayaan Island Group and the military men at BRP Sierran Madre in Ayungin Shoal.

Lamkin concluded that “the victory of our West Philippines Sea is the victory of every Filipino. Let us all unite to defend and fight for our territories and assert our sovereign rights in the West Philippines Sea.”

📷 Armed Forces of the Philippines