News Release

Gov’t to continue upholding international law, Philippine rights, jurisdiction in the West Philippine Sea



The Philippines will remain committed to upholding its rights and jurisdiction in the West Philippine Sea (WPS), newly designated National Maritime Council (NMC) spokesperson Vice Admiral Alexander Lopez said on Tuesday.

According to Lopez, the Philippines will continue its routine maritime activities to protect its territories even after the August 19 collision that damaged two Philippine Coast Guard vessels in the vicinity of Escoda Shoal.

“The Philippines expresses serious concern over the deliberate harassment and infringement by China against Philippines’ sovereignty, sovereign rights, and jurisdiction in the West Philippine Sea. The government remains committed to the President’s directive for a diplomatic approach in a peaceful resolution of disputes,” Lopez told a press briefing in Malacañang.

“The Philippines will continue to uphold its rights and jurisdiction in the West Philippine Sea, sustain our routine maritime activities, and protect its territory and maritime zones from environmental degradation and other illegal activities,” he added.

Lopez said the Chinese Coast Guard’s actions were unprofessional, dangerous, and in violation of international law, including the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) and the 1972 Convention on the International Regulations for Preventing Collisions at Sea (COLREGs).

Lopez stressed that these actions do not contribute to confidence-building measures necessary for the improvement of relations on the basis of mutual respect and for a rules-based international order, noting that the Philippines is urging China to refrain from aggressive actions and adhere to international law.

Lopez said Tuesday’s briefing is aimed at expressing the National Maritime Council’s view at the policy level, echoing the report of the National Task Force, and conveying to the nation’s external and internal stakeholders other insights or inputs to address the Chinese Coast Guard’s aggressive actions.

“We would like to express the position of our government with regard to that particular incident; and lastly, it is also a basis for further actions of our government with regard to that incident,” he said.

Two PCG ships were damaged after they collided with Chinese vessels in an erratic and illegal maneuver near Escoda (Sabina) Shoal.

Lopez said PCG’s BRP Bagacay (MRRV-4410) and BRP Cape Engaño (MRRV-4411) sustained damages during the conduct of a regular and routine logistics mission in the West Philippine Sea last August 19.

The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) is seriously studying the incident and considering filing a diplomatic protest or note verbal against China, he added. PND