A Philippine marines stands guard at West York Island (Likas in Philippine), one of the islands occupied by the Philippines in the disputed South China Sea, on June 5, 2025, during a routine maritime patrol. FILE PHOTO/Agence France-Presse
MANILA, Philippines — The National Maritime Council (NMC) has strongly condemned a series of “aggressive and dangerous” actions by Chinese maritime forces against Philippine vessels, personnel, and local fisherfolk in the West Philippine Sea throughout March.
In a statement issued on Thursday, the President-led council cited multiple incidents involving the China Coast Guard, the People’s Liberation Army Navy (PLA-N), and Chinese maritime militia.
“These unlawful acts endanger lives, violate international law, and undermine regional peace and stability,” it said.
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“These incidents occurred in areas where the Philippines has sovereignty, sovereign rights, and jurisdiction,” the council added.
According to the NMC, Philippine operations in these areas were lawful and consistent with the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (Unclos) and the 2016 arbitral award.
In contrast, China’s actions ran counter to international law and the 2002 Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea.
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Among the most serious incidents was one on March 7, when a Chinese naval vessel reportedly directed its fire-control radar at the Philippine Navy’s BRP Miguel Malvar near Escoda Shoal (Sabina Shoal) —an act the council described as a “threat of force.”
On March 17, Filipino fishermen operating near Bajo de Masinloc (Scarborough Shoal) were allegedly harassed by Chinese vessels through dangerous maneuvers, sirens, and the deployment of rigid-hulled inflatable boats.
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Further tensions were reported on March 20, when a Philippine Coast Guard aircraft conducting a routine patrol over the Kalayaan Island Group (KIG) encountered flares near Panganiban Reef (Mischief Reef), posing risks to aviation safety.
On the same day, a Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources vessel was also subjected to hazardous maneuvers by a Chinese Coast Guard ship near Paredes Reef (Discovery Great Reef).
Another near-collision incident occurred on March 26, when a Philippine Navy vessel was forced to take evasive action after a Chinese warship carried out what the council described as an unsafe maneuver near Pag-asa Island (Thitu Island), in violation of international maritime safety rules.
According to the NMC, Manila would file diplomatic protests, and engage with existing bilateral dialogue mechanisms with Beijing to address these concerns.
“The country also reiterates its call on China to withdraw and direct its vessels and maritime assets to cease and desist from illegal, provocative, and dangerous actions against Philippine vessels, and to stop activities that violate Philippine sovereignty, sovereign rights, and jurisdiction; and to comply with its obligations under international law,” it added.
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NMC’s statement came days after the Philippines and China began to “reset” bilateral talks to discuss maritime tensions as well as possible oil and gas exploration deals in the South China Sea.
The development occurred right after President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. issued Executive Order No. 111, directing local authorities to use the local names of the 131 features in the KIG in the West Philippine Sea in government documents and official maps of the country “for the efficient administration and governance of the area, and the exercise of the country’s sovereignty in the WPS.”
The NMC was created by President Marcos in 2024 to strengthen the Philippines’ maritime security and increase maritime domain awareness among Filipinos amid China’s aggressive tactics and threats in the West Philippine Sea. /dl
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