Government partners and military units unveiled a new West Philippine Sea mural in Tabuk City on Friday to reinforce territorial defense awareness.
The 1405th Community Defense Center, the 14th Regional Community Defense Group, and the National Intelligence Coordinating Agency-Cordillera spearheaded the project alongside various government partners. Officials and stakeholders gathered at the site to mark the completion of the artwork through a ceremonial thumbmarking of commitment to support the West Philippine Sea campaign.
Several local leaders and military personnel attended the event to show backing for the initiative. Enrique Baliang represented Tabuk City Mayor Darwin C. Estranero, while Tabuk City Tourism officer Ethel B. Odiem also joined the proceedings. Personnel from the 103rd Infantry Battalion, the Kalinga State University Reserve Officers’ Training Corps, the 1405th Ready Reserve Infantry Battalion, and Nambaran Punong Barangay Jimmy A. Suwagon were present to support the unveiling.
Did You Know? The project was spearheaded on November 6, 2026, by a coalition that included the 1405th Community Defense Center, the 14th Regional Community Defense Group, and the National Intelligence Coordinating Agency-Cordillera.
Military leadership emphasized that the artwork serves as a reminder of civic duty toward national territory. “It represents our responsibility to protect what rightfully belongs to the Filipino people and to preserve it for the generations yet to come,” said 14th RCDG Commander Col. Oscar B. Balignasay.
Painters who worked on the installation also called on local residents to defend maritime borders with traditional local resilience. Beverly Ashley B. Dawaton, one of the mural’s painters, urged fellow iKalingas to stand for the West Philippine Sea with the same bravery that Kalinga has historically shown in defending ancestral lands.
“What does the sea have to [do] with us? The answer is everything. Because this isn’t just about money or resources. This is about who we are. As iKalingas, we know exactly what it means to stand for our own lands. It is time to bring the brave, unbreakable voice of our mountains to defend our seas,” Dawaton said.
The mural was painted by Beverly Ashley B. Dawaton alongside Engr. Maria Noemi B. Dawaton and Cadet 1CL Joaqin C. Pannagan.
Young participants at the ceremony pledged to actively support awareness campaigns regarding the maritime territory. Kalinga State University student regent Prince Israel A. Lacsa voiced his personal pledge during the event.
“I commit myself to being an informed, responsible, and courageous Filipino youth. I will use my voice to spread awareness and stand for truth and uphold our nation’s dignity,” Lacsa said.
The mural was unveiled on November 6, 2026, in Tabuk City.
The initiative was led by the 1405th Community Defense Center, the 14th Regional Community Defense Group, the National Intelligence Coordinating Agency-Cordillera, and other government partners.
The mural was painted by Beverly Ashley B. Dawaton, Engr. Maria Noemi B. Dawaton, and Cadet 1CL Joaqin C. Pannagan.
How did local communities and youth sectors in Tabuk City show their support for the West Philippine Sea campaign following the mural’s unveiling?
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