Over 7,000 Filipinos join advocacy run ‘Takbo para sa West PH Sea’

CONDEMNATION Protesters join a “Martsa ng Bayan” in Manila on Monday to condemn China’s alleged bullying of Filipino fishermen and Philippine vessels in the West Philippine Sea. —MARIANNE BERMUDEZ

MANILA, Philippines — More than 7,000 Filipinos participated in the advocacy run “Takbo para sa West Philippine Sea” in Pasay City on Sunday, according to the Presidential Communications Office (PCO).

In a statement, the PCO said the event was organized by the RUNRIO Inc, the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG), the National Task Force-West Philippine Sea, the Philippine Information Agency (PIA), and the PCO.

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PCG spokesman for WPS Commodore Jay Tarriela said the “high turnout of participants is indicative of ordinary Fiipinos’ support for the government’s advocacy” in the region, adding that it also helped boost the morale of the country’s uniformed personnel.

The event’s second leg will be held in Cebu on Aug. 4, while Cagayan de Oro will host the third leg on Sept. 8, according to the PCO.

“Our intention for this activity is to [raise] awareness on the efforts done by the national government to fight for the West Philippine Sea,” Tarriela said in Filipino.

Other local governments also plan to facilitate the same event in their respective areas, he added.