Philippines turns to comic book to assert South China Sea claims / Photo: Ted ALJIBE - AFP
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Philippines turns to comic book to assert South China Sea claims
The Philippine government launched a comic book Friday asserting its claims in the disputed South China Sea, amid rising tensions with Beijing over the strategic waterway.
National Security Adviser Eduardo Ano said "The Stories of Teacher Jun", aims to counter China's alleged disinformation and to better inform Filipinos on their sovereign rights.
China claims most of the South China Sea despite an international tribunal ruling it without basis, and its coast guard has clashed repeatedly with that of the Philippines, sparking fears of an armed conflict.
"This comic book strengthens our goal to fight any attempts to blur something that is clear and true -- that we own the West Philippine Sea," Ano said at the book launch, referring to waters immediately west of the Philippines.
Manila hopes to distribute the book -- which has English and Filipino versions -- across the country "to reinforce the awakened patriotism of Filipinos especially when we confront China's aggression", Philippine Coast Guard spokesman Jay Tarriela told the event.
The book tells the story of a student's fisherman father who struggles to go to sea due to the presence of the Chinese Coast Guard, Tarriela told the launch.
The student attends classes being taught by "Teacher Jun" -- a character that resembles President Ferdinand Marcos -- on international law using an analogy of house fences and backyards.
Tarriela said private donors funded the publication.
K.Willems--JdB
