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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider PH gears up for 'worst case scenario' in WPS dispute

PH gears up for 'worst case scenario' in WPS dispute

Published Aug 18, 2025 05:28 pm
The Philippines is getting ready for the “worst scenario” in the West Philippine Sea amid China’s continuous aggressive moves, National Maritime Council (NMC) spokesperson Alexander Lopez said on Monday, Aug. 18.

This image shows the exact moment when China Coast Guard (CCG) ship
This image shows the exact moment when China Coast Guard (CCG) ship "3104" collided with a Chinese People's Liberation Army-Navy (PLA-N) warship "164" while chasing BRP Suluan in Bajo de Masinloc, West Philippine Sea on Aug. 11, 2025. (Photo from Philippine Coast Guard)
During the 2nd Quarter National Maritime Council Press Conference in Manila, the official assured the public that there are “contingency measures” in place regarding the security situation in the West Philippine Sea. He, however, did not disclose further details.

“Contingency measures or plans are in place. So, yung sinasabi naman yung hope (we’re saying we hope), but actually we are planning for the worst scenario. That's very military,” he said.

“Basic naman sa amin yan (That’s basic to us). We do not plan for anything ma-small but we plan for something big,” he added.

Lopez also shared that the request for China to return the firearms it seized from a Philippine vessel and pay for the damages remains pending.

“Meron tayong (We have a) pending request actually. One, for the firearms to be returned. And the other one is I think the payment,” he reiterated.

The official was referring to the June 17, 2024 incident, wherein Chinese Coast Guard (CCG) personnel blocked the humanitarian rotation and resupply mission of the Philippine Navy and the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) to the BRP Sierra Madre, a grounded Philippine vessel at Ayungin Shoal.

The CCG boats rammed, boarded, and damaged Philippine rigid hull inflatable boats, and confiscated military equipment and personal belongings. Several Filipino sailors were hurt in the clash, with one losing a thumb.

35 diplomatic protests 

Meanwhile, Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) spokesperson Angelica Escalona confirmed that the Philippines has already filed 35 diplomatic protests against China from January to August this year.

She, however, said that the DFA is still studying the possibility of filing another diplomatic protest on the Aug. 11, 2025 incident, wherein the a CCG vessel and People’s Liberation Army Navy (PLAN) collided after attempting to block a Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) ship near Scarborough (Panatag) Shoal.

“On the part of the DFA, we released a statement last August 12, 2025, expressing concern on the dangerous maneuvers of the Chinese vessels,” the DFA official said.

“Si Secretary Lazaro din (Secretary Lazaro also) as she issued a statement, nagsalita siya (she spoke) that while we consider the collision an unfortunate outcome, it must be emphasized that it was not caused by the Philippines,” Escalona noted.

She also shared that they are currently “looking at existing platforms for discussing” these matters with China through a bilateral dialogue.

“We continue diplomacy and dialogue and we keep lines of communication open with China. Alinsunod na nga yan sa instructions ng Pangulo (That’s in adherence to the instructions of the President) to manage the issue in a peaceful manner,” she stressed.

Related Tags

DFA National Maritime Council West Philippine Sea diplomatic protest China
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