FOR DR. JOSE Antonio Goitia, the battle for the West Philippine Sea is not only fought on open waters but also in the hearts and minds of Filipinos.
“China wants us to feel small, weak, and powerless — to surrender not through the force of arms, but by breaking our spirit,” Goitia told this writer in an exclusive interview. “That’s why President Marcos’ resolve in saying we will never yield is not just political rhetoric. It is a psychological counteroffensive.”
As Chairman Emeritus of four patriotic and civic groups, Goitia has become one of the loudest voices calling for unity against Beijing’s growing maritime and propaganda offensives. His position is clear: the Philippines is under siege on two fronts — the physical intrusion of Chinese vessels deep inside its 200-nautical-mile Exclusive Economic Zone, and a relentless disinformation campaign designed to divide Filipinos and erode confidence in their leaders.
‘The solution … is a sustained, coordinated counter-narrative that not only informs Filipinos but also mobilizes international opinion. This means constant public education, real-time reporting of Chinese incursions, and a united front in the information space.’
TESTING THE NATION’S RESOLVE
Goitia pointed to reports of around 12,000 Chinese maritime militia vessels, fishing boats, coast guard ships, and naval warships operating in Philippine waters. Some patrols have been recorded just 35 nautical miles from Pangasinan.
“This is not normal activity,” he warned. “It is intimidation. It is coercion. China is testing how far it can push the Filipino nation before we push back.”
He views the fight against such aggression as a shared responsibility. The military and coast guard defend the nation’s waters, but ordinary citizens, influencers, and journalists must defend its narrative. “We must drown lies with truth — stated clearly, consistently, and without hesitation,” he said. “Every abused fisherman, every shadowed patrol, every reef that’s taken must be documented and condemned.”
BACKING THE DEFENDERS
Goitia is unflinching in his support for the country’s defense and security sector. He singles out Defense Secretary Gilbert “Gibo” Teodoro, National Security Adviser Eduardo Año, and the men and women of the Armed Forces of the Philippines and the Philippine Coast Guard as “the shield of the Republic.”
“They face danger so the rest of us can live in peace,” he said. “Every Filipino owes them not just gratitude, but active support — in every way possible.”
He sees his own mission as complementary to their work: to fortify public morale and ensure that Chinese propaganda does not take root in Filipino society. “The President already has the diplomatic and military machinery to assert our rights. My role is to make sure our people stay vigilant and confident in our cause,” he explained.
FIGHTING A WAR OF WORDS
Goitia knows the terrain well. As a veteran in public communication, he has watched how disinformation spreads — fast, emotional, and often unchecked. He warns that Beijing’s narrative seeks to portray the Philippines as isolated and helpless, subtly encouraging resignation and appeasement.
“They want to take our seas, and with it, our future,” he said. “But if they take our story, they take our identity. We must fight just as hard to keep our narrative as we do to guard our waters.”
The solution, he believes, is a sustained, coordinated counter-narrative that not only informs Filipinos but also mobilizes international opinion. This means constant public education, real-time reporting of Chinese incursions, and a united front in the information space.
A CALL FOR UNITY
Goitia’s message is not only for policymakers but for every Filipino with a voice — whether online or offline. “The more united we are in telling the truth, the harder it becomes for Beijing’s lies to take root,” he said.
He envisions a nation where every coastal community knows its rights, every citizen understands the stakes, and every media platform amplifies verified facts. “This is a fight for the soul of the nation,” he declared. “We either stand together now, or we watch our sovereignty and our story slip away.”
THE MAN BEHIND THE MISSION
Dr. Jose Antonio Goitia leads from a position steeped in civic engagement. He chairs the Alyansa ng Bantay sa Kapayapaan at Demokrasya (ABKD), People’s Alliance for Democracy and Reforms (PADER), Liga Independencia Pilipinas (LIPI), and the Filipinos Do Not Yield (FDNY) Movement.
Through these platforms, he mobilizes volunteers, partners with security agencies, and engages media channels to counter false narratives about the West Philippine Sea. His advocacy blends grassroots mobilization with high-level strategic communication, aiming to create both informed citizens and an alert, resilient society.
For Goitia, the message is urgent and the stakes absolute: “If we lose our waters, we lose our future. If we lose our story, we lose who we are. We must not allow either to happen.”