Some issues only feel “national” when they reach the dinner table. The West Philippine Sea (WPS) is one of them. You can ignore it until galunggong or tuna gets pricier, a fisherman comes home early because the sea feels “crowded,” or students repeat a viral clip claiming we are “just visitors” in our own waters. That is when it sinks in: The WPS fight is not happening far away. It is unfolding in our chats, classrooms, and newsfeeds. In that space, Commodore Jay Tarriela stands out not because we idolize uniforms, but because he speaks clearly, with evidence, even under pressure that would make most people go quiet.

Lagon, H. M. (2026, January 30). Protect Tarriela, protect WPS. Daily Guardian, pp. 5, 8.