Jay Tarriela
{{Short description |Philippine Coast Guard}}
{{Multiple issues|{{more citations needed|date=November 2024}}
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{{Infobox officeholder
| name = Jay Tarriela
| title = Commodore
| office = Spokesperson of the Philippine Coast Guard for the West Philippine Sea
| term_start = 2023
| birth_place =
| alma_mater = {{ubl|Philippine Merchant Marine Academy (BS, MS)|National Graduate Institute for Policy Studies (MPP, PhD)}}
| serviceyears =
| rank = Commodore
| branch = Philippine Coast Guard
| unit = West Philippine Sea Operations
| known_for =
| website =
}}
Jay Tristan Tarriela is a Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) officer with the rank of Grand Commodore who is currently serving as the organization's spokesperson. He has contributed to maritime security and policy, particularly by publicly supporting the Philippines’ position in the territorial disputes in the South China Sea.{{Cite web |last=Canada |first=Asia Pacific Foundation of |title=Commodore Jay Tarriela |url=https://www.asiapacific.ca/about-us/guest-speaker-jay-tarriela |access-date=2025-03-05 |website=Asia Pacific Foundation of Canada |language=en}}
Early life and education
Tarriela received a bachelor of science from the Philippine Merchant Marine Academy and a master of science in maritime education and training from the Philippine Merchant Marine Academy Graduate School.{{Cite web |last=Eunice |date=2023-10-02 |title=Commodore Jay Tristan Tarriela {{!}} Leader |url=https://maritimefairtrade.org/commodore-jay-tristan-tarriela/ |access-date=2025-03-05 |website=Maritime Fairtrade |language=en-US}} He also earned a Master of Public Policy from GRIPS and the Japan Coast Guard Academy.{{Cite web |title=Tarriela Jay Tristan |url=https://www.grips.ac.jp/en/dtds3/tarriela_jay_tristan/ |access-date=2025-03-05 |website=National Graduate Institute for Policy Studies (GRIPS) |language=ja}} In 2016, he was part of the first batch of the Maritime Safety and Security Program launched jointly by both institutions.{{Cite web |title=CG Commodore Jay Tristan Tarriela |url=https://www.npc.org.au/speaker/2024/1372-cg-commodore-jay-tristan-tarriela |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240903044919/https://npc.org.au/speaker/2024/1372-cg-commodore-jay-tristan-tarriela|archive-date=3 September 2024|access-date=2024-11-11 |website=National Press Club of Australia |language=en}}
Career
Tarriela serves as the Philippine Coast Guard spokesperson for the West Philippine Sea.{{cite news |title=Analysts: China-Philippine Territorial Dispute May Foster Insecurity in South China Sea |url=https://www.voanews.com/a/analysts-china-philippine-territorial-dispute-may-foster-insecurity-in-south-china-sea/7225801.html |access-date=19 February 2025 |work=Voice of America |date=15 August 2023 |language=en}} His role includes public relations, strategic communications, and engagement with international media regarding the Coast Guard's activities in the South China Sea.
Public policy positions
= Maritime security advocacy =
Tarriela has published articles on maritime security issues affecting the Philippines. In March 2020, he published an analysis proposing a strategic recalibration of the Philippine Navy in response to maritime tensions in the South China Sea, particularly addressing concerns over China’s activities. His work outlined recommendations such as modernizing naval assets, improving operational readiness, increasing the defense budgets, and expanding international partnerships, including with the United States, to bolster the Philippines’ maritime capabilities.
These recommendations align with broader discussions among regional security analysts about the need for Southeast Asian states to adapt to evolving geopolitical challenges.{{cite web|title=ANALYSIS: Recalibrate the Philippine Navy's compass before it even sets sail|date=March 3, 2020|author=Jay Tarriela|website=Rappler|url=https://www.rappler.com/voices/imho/253291-analysis-recalibrate-philippine-navy-compass-before-sets-sail/}}
= South China Sea dispute =
Tarriela has publicly supported President Bongbong Marcos' administration and its stance on enforcing and defending the Philippines' claims in the disputed South China Sea. He has been a vocal critic of China’s actions in the region, often expressing his views through his Twitter account.{{cite web |title=Exclusive: Jay Tarriela, Philippine Coast Guard Spokesperson |url=https://www.taiwanplus.com/news/taiwan-talks/exclusive-interviews/240613016/exclusive-jay-tarriela-philippine-coast-guard-spokesperson |access-date=19 February 2025 |website=Taiwan Plus |language=en}}{{cite news |last1=Mendoza |first1=John Eric |date=6 December 2023 |title=‘Modern-day Makapili’: PCG’s Tarriela unfazed by his ‘pro-China’ critics |url=https://globalnation.inquirer.net/223903/modern-day-makapili-pcgs-tarriela-unfazed-by-his-pro-china-critics |access-date=19 February 2025 |work=Philippine Daily Inquirer |language=en}}
He advocates for the use of the term West Philippine Sea{{cite news |last1=Argosino |first1=Faith |last2=Magno |first2=Alexander |date=18 February 2025 |title=Marcoleta grills Tarriela after backlash on ‘no such thing’ as WPS quip |url=https://www.inquirer.net/429328/marcoleta-grills-tarriela-after-backlash-on-no-such-thing-as-wps-quip/ |access-date=19 February 2025 |work=Philippine Daily Inquirer |language=en}} and has spoken out against Filipino vloggers who, in his view, advance China’s claims and narratives, arguing that such content undermines the Philippines’ sovereign rights over the disputed waters.{{cite news |last1=Cruz |first1=Maricel |last2=Dantes |first2=Charles |date=18 February 2025 |title=Tarriela warns of disinformation push by pro-China online influencers |url=https://manilastandard.net/news/314559084/tarriela-at-tri-comm-exposes-pro-china-vloggers-role-in-wps-disinformation.html |access-date=19 February 2025 |work=Manila Standard}}
= Electoral advocacy =
In October 2024, Tarriela discussed the significance of electoral decisions regarding maritime security. He encouraged voters to consider candidates committed to defending Philippine territorial claims in the South China Sea.{{cite web|url=https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1236017|title=Voters urged to back candidates supporting WPS cause|date=October 21, 2024|author=Heidi Lacambra|website=Philippine News Agency}}
Selected publications
- "The Rise of the White Hulls in Southeast Asia: The Philippine Coast Guard Case" (Doctoral Dissertation, 2021).
- "Recalibrating the Philippine Navy's Strategic Direction" (2020).
References
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Category:Philippine Coast Guard personnel