WPS Is a Gen Z Responsibility, Too

The West Philippine Sea (WPS) dispute is often framed in the lens of geopolitics, naval patrols, and high-level diplomacy. But as Commodore Jay Tarriela of the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) rightly pointed out during his recent visit to Iloilo City, the most dangerous threat to Philippine sovereignty today is not just the overwhelming number of Chinese vessels in our waters—it is the disinformation campaign actively shaping public opinion online.

That makes this a generational fight, not just a diplomatic or military one.

The WPS dispute will not be resolved overnight. It has already outlasted multiple presidents and will almost certainly outlive the current administration. That is why Tarriela’s call to action directed at the Filipino youth—particularly Gen Z, who now make up over 40 percent of active internet users in the country—is both urgent and strategic.

This generation, digitally native and highly connected, holds a unique power that previous generations did not: influence over the digital conversation. According to DataReportal’s 2024 Digital Report, the Philippines has over 86 million active social media users, spending an average of more than three hours daily on platforms like Facebook, TikTok, and YouTube. Among these users, those aged 15 to 24 are among the most active in content creation and engagement. It is no longer a stretch to say that information warfare is happening on Filipino timelines every day—and that foreign actors are taking advantage of this.

In 2023, social media monitoring by think tanks like the Stratbase ADR Institute and the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS) flagged coordinated online campaigns that promoted China’s position in the South China Sea. These ranged from downplaying China’s militarization of artificial islands to questioning the 2016 arbitral victory of the Philippines, which reaffirmed our sovereign rights in our Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ). The ruling by the Permanent Court of Arbitration in The Hague invalidated China’s expansive “nine-dash line” claim—but Beijing has since refused to recognize it and intensified efforts to shape public perception, especially in target countries like ours.

This is where the youth must step in.

Digital activism is no longer optional—it is essential. Simple actions like reporting fake content, debunking myths using credible sources, sharing legitimate coverage from trusted news outlets, and engaging in respectful discourse are powerful tools. Tarriela stressed that if young Filipinos use their accounts to counter disinformation, it would already be “a significant contribution.” He’s right. The goal is not to overwhelm the Chinese propaganda machine, but to inoculate our own public against its influence.

But online efforts are not enough.

This fight must translate to political engagement. In 2022, around 52 percent of registered voters in the Philippines were aged 18 to 40, according to Commission on Elections (COMELEC) data. This bloc can swing the outcome of local and national races. In the context of the WPS, this means electing leaders who will prioritize our maritime rights and take a firm, independent stance against foreign aggression. Tarriela’s message was blunt: avoid voting for officials who have shown “pro-China” leanings.

The challenge, of course, is how to make the WPS dispute resonate with a generation more preoccupied with economic survival, career-building, and social mobility. National Youth Commission Assistant Secretary Karl Legazpi hit the right note when he said the issue must be made into a “modern form of love for country.” This is not about reviving textbook nationalism or empty gestures. It is about translating patriotism into daily actions—online and offline—that defend Philippine interests.

To get there, the government and civil society must meet the youth where they are. This means more youth-centered education on maritime issues, both in schools and online. It means amplifying the voices of young advocates, influencers, and content creators who can explain the WPS dispute in relatable terms. And it means investing in digital literacy programs that empower users to detect fake news and resist manipulation.

Equally important is embedding maritime consciousness in our national identity. For an archipelago like the Philippines, the sea is not a frontier—it is our home, livelihood, and legacy. Yet, most Filipinos still treat it as something distant. The WPS dispute must not remain confined to military press releases or academic forums. It should be a kitchen-table issue.

Because while diplomacy is conducted in conference rooms, sovereignty is defended in classrooms, social media feeds, and ballot boxes.

Gen Z will inherit the consequences of today’s decisions. They will live in a Philippines shaped by how we defend or abandon our maritime rights. As such, they must be empowered not only to care but to act.

The future of the West Philippine Sea does not belong to generals and presidents alone.

It belongs to the youth—and it is their fight, too.