Manila: China's continued claims on the West Philippine Sea (WPS) and parts of the country's territory are part of its efforts to ensure a continued grip on power, a ranking Philippine Navy official said Tuesday. In a press briefing, Navy spokesperson for the WPS, Rear Admiral Roy Vincent Trinidad, asserted that these claims are potentially targeted at various audiences.

According to Philippines News Agency, Rear Admiral Trinidad explained that the targeted audiences might include the Chinese Communist Party's internal audience, which seeks a strong narrative to bolster their claim of power. Additionally, the messaging could be aimed at the Filipino public and the broader international community.

Trinidad noted that China's assertions, including claims that Palawan is part of China, are refuted by international jurisprudence supporting the Philippine stance. He emphasized, "We have the 2016 Arbitral Tribunal ruling, we have our Constitution. It is very clear that Palawan is part and parcel of our archipelago. Pronouncements like this by a foreign power should be taken with a grain of salt."