Philippines carrying out its missions to the West Philippine Sea (WPS) without asking an escort from any other country signifies that it can still defend its own territory, a maritime security expert said.

Jay Batongbacal, a lawyer of the Institute for Maritime Affairs of the University of the Philippines - College of Law, made the remark when asked why the Philippines has not yet requested for an escort from the United States amid the threatening maneuvers of the China Coast Guard (CCG) against Philippine vessels in the WPS.

Batongbacal said the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) is mindful about asking for an escort amid the situation over China.

“Kaya nga ano, kaya din ang gobyerno, ang Armed Forces maingat din na hindi basta-basta lang gagawin iyon na magpapa-escort sa U.S ‘no (That's why the government, the AFP won't just ask for an escort from the US),” Batongbacal told the weekly news forum in Quezon City on Saturday, Aug. 31.

“Isa pa ang praktikal, para sa akin iyong sariling mahalagang aspeto niyan is pinapakita din ng Pilipinas na hanggat sa makakaya niya sasarilihin niya itong problema na ito, hindi iyong tipong parang bata ka na kamo …tatakbo agad sa iba. Kailangan ipakita muna natin na talagang tumitindig tayo (For me, it's also practical and a very important aspect of that is the Philippines as long as it can, it will deal with its own problems, it will not immaturely run to others. We need to show first that we stand our ground)” Batongbacal said.

He further said that it is important that invoking the Philippines-US defense treaty as a "last resort," not as "first recourse."

According to the AFP, the US had offered to escort the Philippines’ resupply missions, following Beijing's intensifying efforts to block them.

AFP Chief Romeo Brawner, however, said the Philippines would not take up the offer until only to the point of life-saving missions.

"We're happy that the US has given us a range of options including that of joining or escorting us for the ROREs (rotation and resupply missions)," Brawner told a news conference after meeting with US Indo-Pacific Commander Admiral Samuel Paparo in Baguio City.

Batongbacal explained the Philippines is not displaying the “art of brinkmanship,” a foreign policy practice that involves taking high risks to gain advantage in negotiations.

“Why historically, the Philippines has not engaged in brinkmanship. Bakit? Kasi nga, ang preference ng Pilipinas is maayos at mapayapang usapan ‘di ba (Why? Because the Philippines' preference is peaceful resolution),” Batongbacal said.

He noted the Philippines had not made the same request of naval escort from the other claimants in the South China Sea, such as from Malaysia or Vietnam.

“Never tayong nag—umaksiyon na talagang parang provocative parang hinahamon natin sila kasi parang ganoong brinkmanship… tingnan natin kung saan ka aabot, hindi natin ginagawa iyan (We never acted provocatively, as if challenging them and we'll see where this take us, we don't do that),” he said.

According to Batongbacal, that is not the intention or an option either, as “brinksmanship works more or less equal." He added that the WPS situation now, "it is evident that the situation is not equal, so we will not use that."