Cebu-leg of "Takbo Para sa West Philippine Sea" gathers 2T runners

CEBU, Philippines — As the country maintains its firm stance against China's assertion of power over the West Philippine Sea, Cebu City hosted the second leg of the "Takbo Para sa West Philippine Sea" fun run event yesterday August 11, 2024, with over 2,000 dedicated runners.

Organized by the National Task Force for the West Philippine Sea in partnership with the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) and the Presidential Communication Office (PCO), and Runrio Inc., the event took place at SM Seaside in Cebu City.

Commodore Jay Tarriela, PCG for the West Philippine Sea, said that with the theme  Sa West Philippine Sea, Ang Yaman Nito, Ay Para Sa Mga Filipino,  the event was launched to raise awareness and uplift the morale of the country s uniformed personnel.

 Ako po ay taos pusong nagpapasalamat sa ating mga kababayan dito sa Cebu. This just goes to show na ang atin pong laban sa West Philippine Sea ay tinitindigan natin lahat mula Luzon hanggang Visayas,  Tarriela added.

Also present in the event was Philippine Information Agency (PIA) Director-General Usec. Jose Torres, Jr., who expressed gratitude to the organizers and participants, and hopes Cebuanos would continue to support the campaign against challenges to the country s claim over its resources.

Cebu City Acting Mayor Raymond Alvin Garcia, unable to attend the event due to a busy schedule, expressed his support through a message delivered by his executive assistant and program director of the Cebu City Bantay Dagat Commission Ed Karlon Rama.

 The Cebu City Government is in oneness with the President s concern for the country s sovereignty and the need to raise awareness about the Philippine s territorial rights and protection of our maritime interest,  Garcia said in his prepared speech.

Garcia also highlighted the significance of defending the West Philippine Sea to safeguard the country s resources, environment, and sovereignty.

He congratulated all the people behind the initiative for their efforts in raising awareness about these critical issues through peaceful means, such as the fun run.

Ensign Abel Lomboy, information officer with the PCG Central Visayas, in an interview with The Freeman said they provided around 70 personnel to secure the event, with around 40 of them also joining the fun run.

The first leg of  Takbo Para sa West Philippine Sea  took place in Pasay City on July 7, drawing around 7,000 participants. The third leg of the event is scheduled in Cagayan de Oro on September 8, 2024. (CEBU NEWS)