Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) spokesperson Rear Admiral Jay Tarriela expressed gratitude to President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. for directing the assignment of Philippine names to 131 maritime features in the Kalayaan Island Group (KIG), Palawan, and the West Philippine Sea (WPS).
The move is part of Executive Order (EO) 111, issued on March 26 and released publicly on March 31, following recommendations from the National Maritime Council (NMC).
In a social media post on Wednesday, April 1, Tarriela personally thanked the President, underscoring the country’s sovereignty over the disputed waters.
“Maraming Salamat po, Pangulong Bongbong Marcos!” he wrote. “Tunay pong atin ang West Philippine Sea at dapat po nating tindigan ang Kalayaan Island Group at kahit kailanman ay hindi dapat itong ipamigay!”
Tarriela has been vocal in defending the Philippines’ claims in the WPS. Earlier, on March 13, he criticized Filipinos who cast doubt on the country’s legal basis for asserting ownership of the waters.
“Subalit kung ikaw ay Pilipino kung nasa publiko man o pribado at pinalalabo mo ang usapin sa WPS at pinagdududahan mo ang ating legal na batayan ay mas masahol ka pa sa hayop,” he said in that post.
The naming initiative, according to EO 111, is intended to strengthen the Philippines’ maritime identity and reinforce its claims in contested areas.