‘They are Filipinos’: PCG spokes for WPS Tarriela affirms stance to defend KIG

By Nash Villena, Philippine Canadian Inquirer
February 10, 2026

(Photo courtesy: Jay Tarriela/Facebook)

MANILA, Philippines — PCG Spokesperson for the West Philippine Sea (WPS) Commodore Jay Tarriela shared photos on Saturday showing the thriving community of Filipino children in Pag-asa Island in the Kalayaan Island Group (KIG).

The photos, taken during the visit of humanitarian advocates Ernie Lopez and his wife Michelle Lopez in September last year, resurfaced amid statements by Sen. Rodante Marcoleta suggesting giving up the KIG to Beijing.

“Every member of the uniformed services—the Armed Forces of the Philippines, the Philippine Coast Guard, and the Philippine National Police—stationed in the Kalayaan Island Group stands ready to lay down our lives and fight to the last drop of blood for these future generation and the people of the Municipality of Kalayaan,” Tarriela wrote on a post.

“They are Filipinos, and the island they live on is part of the Philippines. We will never surrender the Kalayaan Island Group,” he added.

Earlier this week, Sen. Marcoleta responded to Tarriela’s offer to join him for a Maritime Domain Awareness flight to the KIG by insisting on a “friendly debate”, to which the spokesperson kindly declined, saying “our nation’s territorial integrity and legal entitlements in the West Philippine Sea are not subjects for public debate”.