South China Sea (er, West Philippine Sea) dispute may become part of Filipino curriculum

The Philippines’ Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) wants Filipinos to learn about the country’s marine resources at an early age by including the West Philippine Sea in the school curriculum for elementary and high school. Manila uses the termto refer to parts of the disputed South China Sea that it claims. 

DFA Spokesperson Charles Jose told Rappler that the proposal will complement the Philippines’ legal strategy against China by harnessing education and information.
The Philippines filed a historic arbitration case against China before a tribunal to nullify Beijing’s controversial 9-dash line under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS). (READ: Rough seas: Will PH 'lawfare' work vs China?) 

“Of course, students must learn about our maritime entitlements under UNCLOS because there is a threat that these will be diminished,” Jose said in an interview on Monday, January 5. 

He was referring to China’s growing aggressiveness and claim of “indisputable sovereignty” over the South China Sea. The strategic sea is a major global shipping route, a rich fishing ground, and supposedly the site of vast deposits of oil and gas.

(Rappler)