By Eva Visperas
Lingayen –Dagupan Archbishop Socrates Villegas has publicly thrown his moral support behind Commodore Jay Tarriela, the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) spokesperson on West Philippine Sea (WPS) affairs, lauding the officer’s outspoken defense of Filipino maritime rights in the face of sustained Chinese incursions.
The archbishop’s letter, posted on his Facebook page on February 11, frames the maritime dispute not just as a geopolitical contest, but a pastoral concern for the welfare and future of Filipino families dependent on the sea.
In his letter, Villegas described Tarriela’s stance as a “fearless defense of our maritime zones” and invoked scripture to underscore the spiritual stakes of the confrontation at sea, calling on Christ to calm the storms besetting the country’s fishermen and mariners. He also appealed for the intercession of Stella Maris — “Star of the Sea” — the Blessed Mother traditionally invoked by seafarers.
Tarriela, a commodore and PCG spokesman who has become one of the most visible voices in Manila’s maritime diplomacy, has been at the center of the Philippines’ public narrative on repeated Chinese operations inside the Philippine Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ). In recent weeks, he has been locked in a war of words with the Chinese Embassy after Beijing protested his social media posts that included caricatures of Chinese leaders — posts Tarriela refused to retract, saying there was “no need to apologize.”
Tarriela’s tough rhetoric reflects mounting tensions in the contested West Philippine Sea, where the PCG has reported numerous instances of Chinese Coast Guard (CCG) and maritime militia vessels operating near or within Philippine EEZ boundaries. In early 2025, Tarriela led public disclosures about Chinese vessels detected near Zambales waters — describing these presences as illegal and in violation of the 2016 international arbitral ruling and Philippine maritime law.
Beyond those incursions, Philippine authorities have logged reports of dangerous maneuvers by Chinese ships and pressure against Filipino fishing and government vessels during patrol and humanitarian missions, including blocking actions around Bajo de Masinloc (Scarborough Shoal) and other features in the South China Sea.
Supporters of Tarriela say his frankness, even at the risk of diplomatic flare-ups, underscores Philippine resolve to uphold international law and protect its people. Critics, including pro-China political voices, have attempted to shame or silence him — prompting Villegas to echo supporting sentiments in his pastoral letter.
The archbishop said defending sovereign rights is inherently tied to the common good and justice, principles he said the Church shares with Filipino servicemen and women.