Subic Launches West Philippine Sea Mural to Promote Maritime Sovereignty

Camp Aquino, Tarlac City – In a collaborative effort to fuse artistry with advocacy, the National Intelligence Coordinating Agency Region 3, Northern Luzon Command, AFP, Philippine National Police, maritime agencies, and the Subic local government inaugurated the West Philippine Sea (WPS) Mural Painting project on November 19 in Subic, Zambales.

This mural activity is part of the ongoing celebrations for Maritime and Archipelagic Nation Awareness Month (MANA MO) which began in September 2025. The project aims to educate and reinforce public understanding of the country's maritime rights and territorial sovereignty.

Talented artists from Central Luzon transformed the wall along Olongapo-Bugallon Road in Barangay Calapacuan, Subic, through vibrant murals supporting the WPS claim and illustrating the theme, "Ang Karagatan ay Buhay, Kalayaan, at Kinabukasan" (The Sea is Life, Freedom, and Future).

Local painters expressed pride in contributing their artistic skills to assert national ownership and highlight the challenges faced by Filipino fishermen due to the aggressive and unlawful actions of the Chinese Coast Guard (CCG) in the contested waters.

"We joined this mural painting activity because we love our country, and we need to show our love for it through sharing our skills, especially on timely issues like the WPS. We are proud to give voice to our fishermen," shared Mr. Valino Lactaotao, a local artist from Tarlac.

The event also featured the participation of fishermen Paolo Pumicpic and Arnel Satam, who have encountered harassment by the CCG in Scarborough Shoal. Both advocates, featured in the documentary "Food Delivery Fresh from the West Philippine Sea," urged Filipinos to unite in protecting the WPS and defending fisherfolk's rights to their fishing territories.

Supporting the initiative, Councilor Orlando Timbol, chair of Subic's Committee on Fisheries and Aquatic Resources, welcomed further activities backing the fishermen. He encouraged them to continue their livelihood in Scarborough Shoal to assert Philippine sovereignty.

"I encourage our fishermen to continue fishing in the WPS to show our ownership of it and to show them that this is our fishing ground," said Councilor Timbol.

The local government plans to complete the mural with contributions from more local artists, reinforcing this creative campaign to promote awareness and national pride in the WPS.