Despite diplomatic talks, a looming specter of increasing maritime aggression hangs heavy in the waters of the West Philippine Sea as China continues to pursue its far-fetched expansionist ambitions.
The West Philippine Sea holds a long history of being contested. Disputes have only grown significantly out of proportion since its roots tracing back to the mid-20th century, where China published a map featuring the “eleven-dash line” (later revised to the “nine-dash line”) that claimed much of the South China Sea, including areas within the exclusive economic zone (EEZ) of the Philippines.
Steadfastly, China has argued that its claim over the South China Sea is historical in nature. Several Chinese analysts and academics contend that the islands of the South China Sea were first discovered by China’s Han dynasty more than two millennia ago.
However, these “historical rights” have been challenged on multiple occasions mainly because there is little to no evidence that China has controlled the South China Sea after the mid-17th century. In July 2016, an international tribunal finally concluded that there was no legal basis for China to claim historic rights to resources within the sea areas falling within the nine-dash line.
The ruling, which favored the Philippines on nearly every count, was issued by the Permanent Court of Arbitration at The Hague after the Philippines brought a claim against China under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS). As fitting as a ship in harbor, it’s been guaranteed that the West Philippine Sea is owned by the Philippines and the Philippines alone.
Be that as it may, China continues to blatantly ignore the decision and instead chooses to cling to their nine-dash line claim. The adherence to such erroneous claim lives on to this day, posing risks to regional stability, maritime security, and international norms of peaceful dispute resolution.
The aforementioned claim has long been a subject of speculation, but it was only when China occupied Mischief Reef—which is a part of the Philippines’ EEZ—that the Philippines actually began to protest and advance its own claim.
The dispute persisted through decades of diplomatic efforts and international interventions. Tension sparked here and there, and flared most especially during the Scarborough Shoal standoff that occurred between Chinese and Philippine vessels in 2012. The standoff was set in motion when the Philippine Navy’s flagship tried to arrest more than 10 Chinese fishing vessels that were spotted in the Shoal, 220 kilometers from the main Philippine Island of Luzon. But before the arrest could take place, Chinese maritime vessels intervened, preventing said arrest and subsequently establishing control of the area.
In recent years, nothing much has been different. China, like a dog with a bone, continues to assert its presence in the WPS through military patrols, coast guard activities, and ongoing construction and fortification of artificial islands.
Just this year, aggressive tactics from China were seen and felt even strongly by Filipinos. Last March 23, a China Coast Guard water-cannoned the resupply vessel Unaizah Mae 4, injuring multiple Philippine Navy sailors. And as though that wasn’t bad enough— another set of Chinese Coast Guard boats rammed a Philippine government supply ship on June 17, where they further brandished bladed weapons, and seized disassembled rifles during the country’s rotation and resupply mission in Ayungin Shoal in the WPS.
Senate Deputy Minority Leader Risa Hontiveros on June 21 condemned the atrocities committed by China Coast Guard against the Filipino troops. “China severely violated not only international law, but our human rights. This is unacceptable. Violence should not be committed on our seas,” the senator said in a statement.
While violence means serious business, there’s also another act that requires condemnation — the fear-mongering among Filipinos. Concerns of a war looming sweep through the country, stirring unnecessary panic and chaos. As a result, Filipinos gain the idea that perhaps it would be best if they just surrender the WPS in hopes of avoiding a war that isn’t even going to happen in the first place.
Nobody wants to start a nuclear war, not even China. They understand the repercussions of war, so should everyone else. If the Philippines give up the WPS—which plays a huge part in its economy—it won’t be long before tyrants go about unmasking what else the country is willing to give up.
If it’s coping mechanisms Filipinos seek, fear-mongering, spreading disinformation, and making jokes about the whole ordeal is not it. If they wish to help, they should instead be consistent and firm with their stance on the issue. The problem is, Filipinos are too divided, making it incredibly easy for China to disregard the outcries.
By actively raising awareness and promoting the true meaning of unity, Filipinos may be able to influence both national and international outcomes. A strong, cohesive stance can garner support from other nations and international bodies, and increase diplomatic pressure on opposing parties.
To this day, the West Philippine Sea dispute remains a critical issue that demands unwavering attention and action from all Filipinos. As one navigates through the murky waters concerning national sovereignty, it is important to call out any behavior that undermines the Philippines’ territorial integrity. In a grand scheme of things, China needs to recognize the arbitral ruling of UNCLOS, and Filipinos—if they wish to see clearer waters from their seas—must stick united to their cause.
