Press Release

West Philippine Sea Forum, Youth Movement for West Philippine Sea to be Launched

By Dr. Celia Lamkin
Chair, WPS Forum Organizing Committee
September 23, 2015
Manila



Heeding the call for involvement of the youth, the US Pinoys for Good Governance (USPGG), an international organization of Filipino professionals and business people in the United  States and US territories whose main purpose is to have a better life for Filipinos not only in the Philippines but all over the world, in partnership with the UP Agribusiness Society, an academic organization at the University of the Philippines Los Banos (UPLB), will be holding a forum about the West Philippine Sea on  Monday, September 28, 2015, from 1:00 pm to 7:00 pm.at the DL Umali Hall at the UPLB, Los Banos Laguna, Philippines, says Dr. Celia B. Lamkin,  Chairperson of the US Pinoys for Good Governance Guam, Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands (CNMI), Hawaii and American Samoa, who initiated the said forum.

Entitled as “Kalayaan sa Karagatan 101: Dissecting the indomitable Filipino Rights in the West Philippine Sea,” with a theme, “Gearing towards a free Republic that protects the inviolable rights of its people to the abundant maritime resources of the Nation,” the forum will cater to the lingering issues surrounding the Philippine sovereignty in the West Philippine Sea as well as its implications of recent developments in the region and the country as a whole.

California based and US prominent immigration Attorney Ted Laguatan, USPGG Legal Counsel and Spokesperson says, “We are involved in various issues. We condemn the recent territorial aggressions committed by the People’s Republic of China and their rushed construction of military bases in Philippine waters. This forum where issues relating to China's takeover of reefs and islands in Philippine territory - is an important event.  It makes our people aware of how China's aggression threatens our national security and future well being - and what we can do to fight back.”

Laguatan added, “Organizing the National Youth Movement for West Philippine Sea will make our young people conscious of their role in protecting the Philippines against foreign aggressors and in helping to create a better country.”

Hentjie Oliver Tachado, UPLB student and National Chairperson of the National Youth Movement for the West Philippine Sea says,” The forum would serve as an avenue to enlighten the Filipino youth regarding the developments in the West Philippine Sea and its impact in every facet of our society, as well as emphasize their role in it. There is a need for them to understand the issue since it also affects their daily lives whether in a political or socioeconomic context.”

“The said event aims to create awareness among the students about the West Philippine Sea”,  said UP Agribusiness Society President,  Zyrille B. Mendoza.”

“Also, it opens another pavement to a more interactive participation and collaboration from them to help resolve the issue”, she added.

Speakers for the event include prominent personalities from academe and the government as follows:

Honorable Justice Antonio Carpio, Associate Justice  of the Supreme Court of the Philippines;

Mr. Romulo Ubay, Jr., West Philippine Sea (WPS) Research and Technical Assistant  of the Maritime and Ocean Affairs Office, and official Representative of the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) Secretary Albert F. Del Rosario;

Honorable Roilo Golez, Former Congressman and former Philippines’ National Security Adviser; 

Jose Antonio Custodio, military historian and defense consultant  and analyst;

Prof. Richard Javad Heydarian, De La Salle University(DLSU) Manila political science professor and foreign policy and international affairs analyst ; and

Prof. Chito Sta. Romana, former ABC News Beijing bureau chief and President of the Philippine Association for Chinese Studies;

Lamkin, who initiated and organized this WPS forum, and Chairperson of the West Philippine Sea Forum Organizing Committee  added, “With  the distinguished credentials as well as their deep knowledge on the West Philippine Sea issues, the prominent and well-respected guest speakers will provide the youth and the rest of the audience an increased awareness and relevant insights on a matter that unquestionably affects our national security, marine resources, ecosystem and the Philippines’ future generations.

More than 1000 attendees, including the youth and other sectors, are expected to attend the forum. The event will also include the official launching of the National Youth Movement for the West Philippine Sea (NYMWPS). The movement will become the youth arm and network of USPGG nationally and internationally as well as the parent of the soon to be International Youth Movements for the West Philippine Sea overseas, says Dr. Celia Lamkin, the one who initiated the said movement and founder of NYMWPS.

NYMWPS is the fruit of the collective actions of the Filipino youth to affirm their rights over the region.

The forum will be open to the public and target participants will include members of the UPLB community, students from other prominent universities and basic education institutions, as well as from other sectors. Admission is free.

For more details regarding the event, visit the organization's Facebook page: UP Agribusiness Society and the National Youth Movement for the West Philippines Sea, US Pinoys for Good Governance Marianas chapter (CNMI and Guam), Standup for Scarborough Shoal or email , [email protected] or visit www.uspgg.org.