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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider PH rejects China's claim that Manila is staging provocations in WPS

PH rejects China's claim that Manila is staging provocations in WPS

Published Jan 12, 2026 08:28 pm
A China Coast Guard (CCG) ship fires a water cannon and rams a Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) vessel anchored in the territorial waters of Pag-asa (Thitu) Island in the West Philippine Sea (WPS) on Oct. 12, 2025, according to the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG). (Photo courtesy of PCG)
A China Coast Guard (CCG) ship fires a water cannon and rams a Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) vessel anchored in the territorial waters of Pag-asa (Thitu) Island in the West Philippine Sea (WPS) on Oct. 12, 2025, according to the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG). (Photo courtesy of PCG)
The Philippines has dismissed China's claim that it is staging provocations in the West Philippine Sea (WPS) by deploying vessels and allowing Filipino fisherfolk to operate there.
In a statement on Monday, Jan. 12, the National Maritime Council (NMC) called China's claim as "preposterous and completely false."
"China’s claim that the Philippines 'stages provocations' by deploying government vessels or allowing Filipino fisherfolk to operate in these waters is preposterous and completely false," NMC said.
"Filipino fishers are civilians lawfully pursuing their livelihoods within the Philippines’ maritime zones. Protecting them is a responsibility of the State, not an act of escalation," it stressed.
The NMC pointed out that the tensions in the West Philippine Sea "are the direct result of China's persistent illegal, coercive, aggressive and deceptive (ICAD) activities within the maritime zones of the Philippines."
It reiterated that Manila's operations in the WPS are conducted "solely to ensure maritime safety, provide humanitarian assistance, and enforce the law."
"These actions are legitimate, lawful and consistent with international law, particularly UNCLOS (United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea) and the 2016 Arbitral Award," the council said.
China's illegal actions in the WPS, the council further stressed, place lives at risk, destroy property, and undermine peace and stability in the region.
"The ICAD activities of Chinese vessels or aircraft, such as dangerous maneuvers, blocking, ramming, intimidation, the use or firing of water cannons against Philippine vessels and Filipino fishers, and dangerously close aerial maneuvers place lives at risk, unnecessarily destroy property at sea, and undermine peace and stability in the WPS and the region," NMC said.
The council has once again called on China to abide by international law, particularly UNCLOS and the 2016 Arbitral Award, to ensure stability in the region.
It added that the Philippines remains open to constructive dialogue and consultations for the peaceful development of the region in accordance with international law.

Related Tags

National Maritime Council West Philippine Sea China Filipino fishermen
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