The support of Filipinos in the government's efforts to protect Philippine entitlements in the West Philippine Sea from Chinese encroachments is vital, said Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) assistant secretary Charles Jose. The Philippines has a pending case against China over the West Philippine Sea before the United Nations (UN) arbitral tribunal in the Hague, Netherlands. Jose expressed hope that Ilonggos who attended the forum would echo what they learned to families, neighbors, friends or coworkers.

Sologastoa, G. (2015, August 14). DFA seeks public support in bid to protect West PH Sea. Panay News, p. 4.