Manila: The Philippine government has pushed back against China's accusations of alleged 'provocations' in the West Philippine Sea (WPS), saying Beijing's resort to personal attacks against Filipino officials and advocates exposes the weakness of its legal position. National Maritime Council (NMC) spokesperson Undersecretary Alexander Lopez said China's recent statements and social media engagements, particularly those singling out Philippine officials, reflect its inability to counter Manila's claims under international law.
According to Philippines News Agency, Lopez remarked on a televised Bagong Pilipinas public briefing that China's strategy of targeting individuals, such as Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) spokesperson Commodore Jay Tarriela, Senator Francis Pangilinan, and Mamamayang Liberal Party-list Rep. Leila de Lima, is indicative of a lost legal argument. 'They're trying to discredit some personalities, eh sa atin iyon once you attack a personality ang ibig sabihin lang doon nawawalan kayo ng legal argument kaya tao na iyong binabanatan ninyo (Once you attack a personality, it only means you've lost the legal argument and are now targeting people instead),' Lopez stated.
Lopez rejected China's claim that the presence of Filipino fishers and government vessels in the WPS amounts to provocation, stressing that Philippine actions are anchored on international law. He cited the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), emphasizing that only the coastal state has sovereignty, sovereign rights, and jurisdiction over all resources within the 200-nautical-mile exclusive economic zone.
He explained that vessels of the PCG, Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR), and the Philippine Navy are conducting lawful patrols to protect civilians and enforce Philippine and international laws. Lopez accused China of engaging in 'illegal, coercive, aggressive and deceptive' acts, including water cannoning, ramming, dangerous maneuvers at sea and in the air, harassment of resupply missions, and the use of military-grade laser devices. 'Walang basehang legal o sa international law ang akusasyon ng Tsina (China's accusations have no legal or international law basis),' he said.
Despite rising tensions, Lopez asserted that the Philippines remains committed to a legal and peaceful approach consistent with UNCLOS, international law, and the 2016 arbitral ruling that invalidated China's expansive claims. 'All actions of the government are legal, mapayapa, at consistent sa arbitral ruling (legal, peaceful, and consistent with the arbitral ruling),' he said.
Lopez affirmed that diplomatic channels remain open but stressed that Philippine sovereignty and maritime rights are non-negotiable. He added that the NMC continues to ensure a coherent and unified maritime governance strategy to avoid miscalculations and escalation. 'We stick to issues and we do not discuss personalities,' he said, reiterating President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.'s directive to firmly uphold Philippine sovereignty.
