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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider Group says PH not 'provoker', urges dialogue amid word war between Chinese Embassy, gov't officials

Group says PH not 'provoker', urges dialogue amid word war between Chinese Embassy, gov't officials

Published Jan 26, 2026 06:33 pm
An international research organization called out the Chinese Embassy in Manila for what it described as an attempt to invert reality by portraying the Philippines as the “provoker” in the West Philippine Sea.
In a statement, the Stratbase Institute said the Philippine government has fully documented all the incidents involving local vessels and Chinese ships in the West Philippine Sea and all of them showed China’s maritime forces repeatedly employing coercive and dangerous acts.
The coercive and dangerous acts, according to the group, include the use of water cannons, aggressive maneuvers, and ramming incidents that have damaged Philippine vessels and harmed even Filipino civilians.
“Calls for ‘restraint’ ring hollow when paired with continued harassment of Philippine ships and fisherfolk whose livelihoods depend on waters international law recognizes within the Philippines’ maritime entitlements. De-escalation begins when coercion ends,” the statement read.
“Respect for international law, not rhetorical accusations, is the only durable foundation for stability,” it added.
The Stratbase statement came amid the noticeable change of tactic on the part of the Chinese Embassy in Manila, which some observers and officials described as confrontational.
On the part of the Stratbase, it said the statements issued by Philippine officials are rooted in defending what belongs to the Philippines.
“The core issue is not ‘perception’ but law. Under UNCLOS , the 2016 Arbitral Award is final and binding on the parties and rejected China’s expansive “historic rights” claims,” it said.
Nevertheless, the group said it supports dialogue and crafting of the Code of Conduct that is anchored in UNCLOS (United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea) and consistent with the 2016 Award.
“Proposals that constrain lawful partnerships, exercises, or resource development are not confidence-building measures; they are attempts to curtail the Philippines’ sovereign choices,” the statement read.
“Peace will not be secured by silencing the victim, but by ending the wrongdoing and upholding the rule of law,” it added.
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