The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) appointed its new spokesperson on maritime issues on West Philippine Sea, but insisted that it would continue to follow the “one message” of the Philippines.

DFA named Acting Deputy Assistant Secretary Rogelio Villanueva Jr. as its new spokesperson on maritime issues, reinforcing the agency’s central role in diplomacy as tensions persist in the West Philippine Sea.

Rear Admiral Roy Vincent Trinidad, the Philippine Navy spokesperson for the West Philippine Sea, said government spokespersons have a good working relationship.

The officials met last week during the regular conference of the National Maritime Council and other government agencies.

“He was a colleague in the Philippine Navy. He joined in 1994 when the Coast Guard was still part of the Navy. When the Coast Guard was separated in 1998, he joined the Philippine Coast Guard. We welcome him to the fold of government spokespersons and we wish him all the best,” Trinidad said of Villanueva.

Trinidad said government spokespersons would continue to have a unified message on the country’s claims in the West Philippine Sea and about not giving up one square inch of territory.

“We follow the dictum that one message, many voices,” Trinidad told reporters at Camp Aguinaldo.

“One message, but different messengers. So long as the message is the same, it’s more effective that way,” he added.

In a separate media briefing in Malacañang, Communications Undersecretary Claire Castro defended the need for multiple spokespersons on the West Philippine Sea issue, pointing out that the spokespersons carry different messages for the public, ranging from policy to operational matters.

“Nagkakaisa naman po, aligned naman po kung ano ang gusto ng Pangulo — firm pero diplomatic. So, hindi naman po nagkakaiba