Tarriela invites Marcoleta to join West Philippine Sea mission flightComposite: Philippine Coast Guard photo in April 2025 of personnel conducting maritime exercise near Pag-asa Island and Sen. Rodante Marcoleta (R) as seen in August 2025MANILA, Philippines — Philippine Coast Guard spokesperson for the West Philippine Sea Commodore Jay Tarriela has invited Sen. Rodante Marcoleta to join a maritime domain awareness flight over the Kalayaan Island Group. In a post on X, formerly Twitter, Tarriela said he was willing to arrange the flight and personally join the operation, following controversy over Marcoleta's remarks on the status of the Kalayaan Island Group. "Give Senator Marcoleta a chance," Tarriela wrote, adding that residents of Pag-asa Island would be "happy to welcome" the senator. He said his comments were made in reference to technical requirements for listing the West Philippine Sea with the International Hydrographic Organization. The Kalayaan Island Group lies about 280 nautical miles west of Palawan and is part of the Philippines' claimed territory in the South China Sea.

Source: Philippine Star February 08, 2026 06:04 UTC