Discussion held by 53IB on the West Philippine Sea and counter-extremism measures
Philippine Army's 53IB Holds West Philippine Sea Awareness Symposium
The 53rd Infantry Battalion (53IB) of the Philippine Army recently held a symposium focusing on West Philippine Sea awareness and Preventing and Countering Violent Extremism (P/CVE). The event took place on August 9, 2025, at the covered court of Canoayan village, Bayog, Zamboanga del Sur. Over 100 participants, including local government officials, parents, students, and community members, attended the informative gathering.
The symposium aimed to raise awareness about the Philippines' territorial rights in the West Philippine Sea and the importance of resisting foreign aggression. It also sought to instill a heightened sense of national identity and sovereignty, particularly among the youth.
The West Philippine Sea encompasses maritime areas on the western side of the Philippine archipelago, including the Luzon Sea, the Kalayaan Island Group, and Bajo de Masinloc. The symposium provided valuable insights into the region, educating the public about its significance and the 2016 Permanent Court of Arbitration ruling in The Hague, which favored the Philippines over China’s South China Sea claims.
In 2016, the Permanent Court of Arbitration ruled that China's claim in the South China Sea had "no legal basis." Since then, the Philippine government has renamed parts of the South China Sea that fall within the country's territory as the West Philippine Sea.
The symposium also delved into the threats of violent extremism by countering deceptive recruitment tactics and radical ideologies associated with Communist and local terrorist groups. Lieutenant Colonel Roland Vargas Jr., 53IB commander, emphasized the role of informed communities in asserting territorial rights and countering extremism, reflecting the battalion’s commitment to peace and community engagement.
Lieutenant Colonel Vargas Jr. also highlighted the symposium's aim to foster sustainable peace, stating, "Our goal is to empower communities as a strategic approach to promote sustainable peace and safeguard national sovereignty." The initiative reflects the battalion's commitment to community empowerment as a strategic approach to countering violent extremism and asserting rights in the West Philippine Sea.
The symposium deepened public understanding of the tactics used by terrorist groups to recruit and radicalize individuals. It provided participants with the knowledge necessary to protect themselves and their communities from these threats. The event was a testament to the 53IB's continued effort to promote peace and security through proactive and grassroots engagement.
- The symposium held by the Philippine Army's 53IB in Zamboanga del Sur also addressed the threats of violent extremism, countering deceptive recruitment tactics associated with terrorist groups like Communists.
- In addition to highlighting the West Philippine Sea's significance and the 2016 Permanent Court of Arbitration ruling in The Hague, the symposium also aimed to foster sustainable peace through community empowerment.
- The general news covered the symposium, emphasizing its importance in raising awareness about the Philippines' territorial rights in the West Philippine Sea and countering extremism.
- Amidst war and conflicts, including disputes over the West Philippine Sea, the government's focus on education and self-development, such as the symposium, is essential in instilling a heightened sense of national identity and sovereignty among the youth and community members.
