WHILE PHILIPPINE troops and coast guard units bear the responsibility of defending territorial waters, citizens also play a vital role in safeguarding the West Philippine Sea by countering disinformation.
Christopher Balagtas, director of the non-profit group Center for Information Resilience and Integrity Studies (CIRIS) said that even small acts, such as refusing to share fake news and countering disinformation, are forms of heroism.
“Every little heroism that we do about the West Philippine Sea issue, like not sharing fake news, talking about the truth, not pushing disinformation… those small acts of heroism all lead up to all of us being heroes,” Balagtas told the Varsitarian.
Directed by Kevin Mayuga, the four-minute film “Alon ng Kabayanihan” highlights the role of fishermen, the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG). and the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) in defending the contested waters against China’s incursions.
CIRIS President Michel Del Rosario urged Filipinos to watch the film and rely on credible sources about the maritime dispute.
“We created Alon ng Kabayanihan to remind every Filipino that sovereignty and our rights die in silence. As Filipinos, our role is not to stay silent, but to tell our truths,” Del Rosario said.
The short film is part of CIRIS’ campaign against apathy and desensitization, while giving deeper meaning to the experiences of fishermen and military personnel in the West Philippine Sea.
The film stars Carlo Aquino and Sid Lucero and follows the lives of fishermen and naval officers caught in tensions in the disputed waters.
Since the Philippines won its arbitral ruling in 2016, the PCG and Chinese forces have repeatedly clashed in the area. On Aug. 21, five Chinese maritime vessels and other military ships were spotted near Ayungin Shoal, according to the AFP.
Mayuga said he joined the project because of Filipinos’ limited awareness of the issue.
“I had an insight earlier that some people don’t want to talk about the West Philippine Sea because they think it’s political. I don’t understand where that’s coming from, because it doesn’t matter what political party you support. This is a Filipino thing. It’s a global thing,” he said.
Virjilo Bueno, a fisherman featured in the film, said the story reflected his own experience of harassment by China’s coast guard.
“Pag kami ay [nakalusong] ‘yong kalahati ng katawan namin ay naka[lubog] sa dagat. Patay na katawan namin kasi baka saktan kami ng mga coast guard ng China tapos ‘yong mga harbor guard ng China, tapos pinapaikutan kami,” Bueno told the Varsitarian.
Bueno said such incidents show that “what people often only see in the news is really happening in the West Philippine Sea.”
The film was produced in collaboration with Hot and Fresh Productions, the AFP, and fishing communities near the disputed waters.
The short film premiered at Gateway Cineplex 2 in Quezon City. Alexandra S. Demaisip
