INQUIRER.net staffers recognized for West PH Sea coverage

INQUIRER FILE PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines—The National Defense College of the Philippines Alumni Association Inc. (NDCPAAI) is set to award three INQUIRER.net staffers and one Philippine Daily Inquirer reporter with the Award of Special Recognition for their exceptional reporting on the geopolitical and security developments in the West Philippine Sea.

Kurt dela Peña, a content researcher and writer for INQFocus; John Eric Mendoza, INQUIRER.net’s defense beat reporter; Adrian Parungao, INQUIRER.net reporter; and Frances Mangosing, Philippine Daily Inquirer reporter, will be presented with the Award of Special Recognition.

INQFocus is a team in INQUIRER.net dedicated to research, features, investigative, and special reports.

The award recognizes their extensive coverage of the complexities and security issues amid ongoing Chinese aggression in the West Philippine Sea.

Secretary General Aldrin C. Cuña, of NDCPAAI, commended Dela Peña and Mendoza for their steadfast commitment to journalism that not only informs but also educates the public on vital national security challenges.

Cuña said the award recognizes the INQUIRER.net journalists’ “untiring effort to send the message to the Filipino Nation of the measures undertaken by [the] government and the actions of other state actors who lay claim to the West Philippine Sea.”

Dela Peña has written in-depth reports on the current situation inside the Philippine exclusive economic zone (EEZ). The reports presented a comprehensive view of the West Philippine Sea situation, encompassing ecological, economic, technological, historical, and societal dimensions.

One of the special reports titled “Irreparable harm’: China intrusion’s impact on West Philippine Sea ecosystem” outlined the damaging consequences of China’s illegal entry and occupation of the Philippines EEZ on marine biodiversity.

The report, citing data from the Asia Maritime Transparency Initiative (AMTI) of the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS), highlighted that China’s actions—dredging, island expansion, and giant clam harvesting—have resulted in the destruction of coral reefs and disturbance of marine life inside Philippine waters.

READ: ‘Irreparable harm’: China intrusion’s impact on West Philippine Sea ecosystem

Another report titled “WPS economic sanctions to hurt PH, but China even more” has shed light on overall trade that favored China, but it could suffer as a consequence of its illegal actions in the area.

According to the report by Dela Peña, China would suffer substantial economic losses in the event of sanctions, which could disrupt its trade relations and investment strategies in the region. It also discussed the broader implications of such economic measures on global trade dynamics and regional stability.

READ: WPS economic sanctions to hurt PH, but China even more

Read Dela Peñas other reports on the maritime dispute in the West Philippine Sea here:

• China’s use of sound as weapon in WPS aggression brings LRAD into focus
• China’s WPS lies: From baseless dashed line to ‘indisputable sovereignty’
• ‘Laban ng lahat’: Civilian role in kicking China out of PH waters growing, crucial
• China invasion nearing Philippine shores as Bongbong Marcos warned
• Justice sought as China intrusion brings ‘immeasurable’ destruction to PH coral reefs

Mendoza closely covers and reports on updates on the current situation in the West Philippine Sea. The reports primarily concentrate on China’s illegal actions inside Philippine EEZ and detail how the Philippine government is handling these.

Composite image of the three INQUIRER.net staffers and one Philippine Daily Inquirer reporter who will be given Award of Special Recognition for their exceptional reporting on the geopolitical and security developments in the West Philippine Sea. Graphic by ED LUSTAN / INQUIRER.net

In one of his recent reports, Medoza revealed that the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) ship that was directly hit by water cannons by China Coast Guard (CCG) vessels in Scarborough Shoal sustained over P2 million in damage.

READ: China water cannons 2 PH vessels in Scarborough Shoal anew

He also reported on the “temporary special arrangement” between China and the Philippines in 2016 over the Scarborough (Panatag) Shoal. Citing a Beijing embassy spokesperson, the report explained that under the supposed agreement,  the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), PCG, and other government vessels could not enter the 12 nautical miles and corresponding air space of Panatag Shoal.

READ: China bares ‘special arrangement’ with PH on Scarborough in 2016

You can find additional reports on the West Philippine Sea by Mendoza by accessing these through this link.

Parungao has also written stories on the West Philippine Sea, citing not only the PCG and Philippine Navy but also key Philippine government officials.

In one of his latest reports, Parungao cited PCG Commodore Jay Tarriela in explaining why the Philippines maintains its position in not using water cannons amid the harassment of Chinese Coast Guard vessels in the disputed areas of the West Philippine Sea.

READ: Tarriela reiterates: PH won’t use water cannons vs Chinese vessels

Parungao also wrote on calls for China to bring the Spratlys territorial dispute to arbitration by the International Court of Justice (ICJ).

READ: Group backs call for China to bring jurisdiction claim before ICJ

Read more related reports by Parungao by accessing this link.

Meanwhile, Mangosing has written several stories published in print on the Philippine Daily Inquirer and online on INQUIRER.net on efforts by Philippine military personnel to stand up to Chinese bullying and harassment.

You can find Mangosing’s reports related to the West Philippine Sea by reading them online here.

Journalists, media’s role in WPS dispute

This year, NDCPAAI’s annual Awards and Recognition Program underscored the critical role of journalism in influencing public policy and understanding.

“Recent events in the West Philippine Sea saw the active involvement and unrelenting reports from journalists and other mass media practitioners,” said Cuña.

“Their professionalism, courage, and integrity have kept our nation well-informed on the real score behind what is happening during our regular maritime sovereignty patrols and even during our troop rotation and supply missions to our islands, shoals, and other features,” he added.

The NDCPAAI’s secretary general stressed that without dedicated support from journalists and other mass media practitioners, the crucial message that the West Philippine Sea must be protected and defended for both current and future generations could not have been effectively communicated.

The upcoming ceremony will also honor alumni members and other public and private sector stakeholders who have made substantial contributions to governance, development, and security.

“The purpose of this Awards Program is to recognize the immeasurable contribution of government and private sector leaders on the field of peace, development, and security,” said Cuña.

The award presentation is set for May 7, 2024, at the Philippine Navy Officers Country, Bonifacio Naval Station in Taguig City.