The West Philippine Sea (WPS) is part of the larger South China Sea—but for the Philippines, it is a very special area. It touches many islands, reefs, and coastal zones that are vital for fisheries, trade routes, security, and nature. When people talk about “defending the West Philippine Sea,” they mean protecting both these waters and the rights of Filipinos over them. But why does it matter not just to the Philippines, but to the world? And how can the Philippines act to protect it?
NOEL ADALIA DIMASACAT, DEFENCE ANALYST AND EAST ASIA SCHOLAR, MANILA, PHILIPPINES
FOR NEWS ANALYTICS
a 5 mins read.
The WPS lies along some of the world’s busiest shipping lanes. Goods from many countries pass through these waters. If stability fails here, if vessels cannot pass freely or are threatened, it could raise costs, disrupt supply chains, and affect global trade.
The area is believed to have fish stocks, oil and gas deposits, and other sea bed resources. For the Philippines, these mean food, jobs and economic development. Globally, how a country handles disputes over sea rights sets an example for how international law is applied and how resources are shared.
The Philippines won a major case in 2016 at the Permanent Court of Arbitration, which ruled parts of China’s sweeping claims invalid. How that ruling is respected—or ignored—will affect the credibility of international law. If powerful states ignore rules, smaller states may suffer. For the rest of the world, this matters for fairness, peace, and stability.
Seas and reefs are fragile. The WPS has coral, marine life and habitats that sustain local fisherfolk and coastal communities. Damage here can lead to ecosystem collapse, which can ripple out to climate resilience, food security and coastal safety.
ESCALATING INCURSIONS
Several reported incidents involving China (People’s Republic of China) and the Philippines claimed waters in the West Philippine Sea occurred during the first ten months of 2025. In mid-January, the Philippine Coast Guard reported that a large Chinese Coast Guard vessel (CCG 5901, dubbed the “monster ship”) remained illegally inside the Philippine Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ). On 17 January 2025, the PCG noted that the vessel had been present for 13 days within Philippine waters near Zambales.
China’s actions in the West Philippine Sea erode Philippine sovereignty, endanger livelihoods, undermine international law, and threaten regional security and global freedom of navigation.
On the same day, the Philippine Navy held a live-fire exercise near the disputed Scarborough Shoal (also called Bajo de Masinloc) within the Philippines’ EEZ amid tensions over China’s presence.
On 17 June, the Philippine Armed Forces publicly rejected Chinese claims that the Philippines’ inviting allies for joint patrols was the cause of tension. Instead, the AFP pointed to China’s incursions into the WPS.
On 31 July 2025, the Philippine Coast Guard reported that two Chinese research vessels—Zhu Hai Yun and Xiang Yang Hong—entered the Philippine EEZ near Balagtas Reef off the west coast of Luzon without Philippine permission, sparking concerns over possible unauthorised marine scientific activity.
On 12 October 2025, a serious incident occurred when a Philippine Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources vessel, BRP Datu Pagbuaya, anchored near Pag-asa Island (Thitu Island) to protect Filipino fishermen, was fired upon by a water cannon and rammed by a Chinese coast guard ship, causing minor structural damage.
Later in October, videos emerged showing Chinese ships using high-powered water cannons and ramming Philippine vessels in the WPS. In the same month, China’s plan to designate certain parts of the WPS as a “nature reserve” was criticised by Filipino civil society groups as a guise for occupation and reinforcement of Chinese claims.
On 24 October 2025, Chinese fishing boats carrying suspected cyanide breached the BRP Sierra Madre perimeter at Ayungin Shoal. Philippine forces intercepted the vessels, removed the illegal gear, and escorted them out, safeguarding both the reef and national sovereignty.
These incidents together show an escalating pattern of Chinese maritime operations inside areas the Philippines claims, often without Philippine consent and often with disruptive or intimidating actions.
Each incident might seem local, but its effect is broader. They challenge the Philippines’ sovereign rights over its marine zones and resources. They set precedents: if such actions go unchecked, similar actions may occur elsewhere. They increase the risk for Filipino fisherfolk, coast guard and naval personnel, and for local food security. They weaken the credibility of international law if larger states can act with impunity. They raise the stakes for regional security and the global principle of freedom of navigation.
Satellite imagery, drones, AIS tracking, and maritime surveillance allow the Philippines to monitor covert Chinese activity and use evidence for diplomatic or legal action.
DEFENCE PATHWAYS
Here are several practical steps that the Philippines can take to defend the WPS, using tools that are non-technical but effective.
Strengthen monitoring and presence. The Philippines should continue regular patrols by the Philippine Navy (PN), Philippine Coast Guard (PCG), and Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) in contested zones. Regular presence helps deter unauthorised intrusions and signals to the world that the Philippines is serious.
Improve training and equipment. When your “guards” have modern tools—vessels, surveillance systems, communications—they can respond more quickly. Training in maritime domain awareness (knowing who is where, what they’re doing) is key. If personnel are equipped to document incursions (photos, videos), it builds the case internationally.
Use diplomacy and international law. The Philippines can continue to appeal to international law, such as the 2016 arbitral award, and work through multilateral bodies like ASEAN, and engage alliances and partners (e.g., U.S., Australia, Japan). Global attention strengthens its position. Protests, formal complaints and diplomatic work matter.
Engage in regional partnerships. Working with other claimant states or interested countries increases leverage. Joint patrols, information-sharing, and coordinated diplomatic efforts help show unity and deter unilateral action.
Protect and empower local communities. Fishing villages and coastal communities in the WPS need support—legal, technical and financial. If fishermen are harassed or blocked, it harms their livelihoods. The Philippine government can provide support, legal protection, community awareness, and emergency response for those affected.
Public outreach and transparency. Ordinary citizens should be informed and aware of what’s happening in the WPS. When Filipinos understand why it matters—they fish, trade, protect sovereignty—they become allies in safeguarding those waters. Transparency in actions and incidents builds domestic consensus.
Develop the economy of the sea sustainably. Protection is more than defence. If the Philippines develops its marine resources—eco-tourism, responsible fishing, research—it strengthens its claim. A vibrant, active Philippine presence in its waters reinforces sovereignty and makes incursions more costly for others.
Use technology smartly. Satellite imagery, drones, automatic identification systems (AIS) for ships, and maritime domain awareness tools help the Philippines keep track of what happens. If Chinese ships operate covertly or near Philippine features, the data can be used in diplomatic or legal actions.
Clarify roles and rules. The government must clearly define what its navy, coast guard and fishery agencies do. Clear mandates reduce confusion, ensure coordination, and improve response times. Training and standard operating procedures for harassment, ramming and water cannoning must exist.
Maintain a measured defence posture. While the Philippines does not want war, it must show it is ready and will defend its rights. But the posture must be measured—avoid provocation, but also avoid passivity. When a vessel is rammed or displaced, proper documentation and response matter.
CONCLUSION
The West Philippine Sea is not just a remote maritime zone—it matters for every Filipino, and it matters for the world. The Philippines’ ability to protect its rights there is tied to trade, food, security, law and environmental stability. The recent skirmishes and violations by China from January to October 2025 show that the situation is serious and evolving. But they also show that the Philippines is not passive.
By strengthening its naval and coast guard presence, using diplomacy and international law, partnering with allies, protecting local communities, and involving ordinary citizens, the Philippines can defend the WPS more effectively. For a safe, just, and sustainable future—not just for the Philippines, but for everyone who depends on an open, fair, and peaceful sea. When we say “Atin Ito – The West Philippine Sea is ours”, it means we all have a stake in it.
(Noel Adalia Dimasacat, is a Defence Analyst & East Asia scholar specialising in technology. He is also the Chief Technology Officer at GWT Philippines. He is the Awardee of World CIO 200-2024 & 2023 – Transformative Technology Leader. The views expressed are of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of The News Analytics Herald.)
Key Takeaways
- The West Philippine Sea is vital for trade, resources, security, and global maritime law.
• China’s escalating incursions challenge Philippine sovereignty and the international legal order.
• Skirmishes in 2025 reveal rising militarisation, harassment, and environmental threats.
• The Philippines can respond through patrols, diplomacy, alliances, technology, and community protection.
• National defence requires joint action: government, military, fisherfolk, citizens, and global partners.
