The Philippine government is not keen on waging a war in the West Philippine Sea (WPS) despite its transparency initiative to show the aggression and dangerous actions by China, according to the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG).
Commodore Jay Tarriela, PCG spokesperson for WPS, said the agency is not bothered by the recent directive of Chinese President Xi Jinping to the People's Liberation Army and Armed Police Force at China's annual parliament meeting last week to coordinate their efforts in preparing for military conflicts at sea, and protecting their maritime rights, interests, and the development of their maritime economy.
"I don't think it's a declaration of war. It's not only us that China is preparing for. They also have concerns with Taiwan and the entire South China Sea," Tarriela said in a radio interview over DZRH on Monday, March 11.
"Ang ginagawa lang natin (What we're only doing) is we are telling the world and the Filipino people about what is at stake in the West Philippine Sea. Again, it’s not our intention to go to war against anybody," he added.
President Xi's remarks came a few days after the China Coast Guard (CCG) and PCG ships collided in Ayungin Shoal during a resupply mission by the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP). The CCG also used water cannons against Philippine vessels which resulted to injuries of four Filipino personnel.
Under the current administration of President Marcos, the PCG has started its transparency initiative, that is, making public all the maritime encounters and incidents involving Chinese and Philippine vessels in the WPS.
"It has been the stand now of the Philippine government to open and expose the bullying behavior and provocative actions by China," Tarriela said.
He said it is important for the Filipino people, especially those in power, to speak up about the current situation in the WPS to avoid misinformation and the proliferation of fake news, and get support from the international community to counter Beijing's aggression.
"Sometimes there is a misconception among the Filipino people that they choose to be silent about what is happening because when it comes to conflict with China, it would be a sure loss. I think that’s the dichotomy of what's happening in the West Philippine Sea," the PCG official said.
"We should look at it in a way that we are being victimized, we are aggrieved because of their aggressive actions," he furthered.