The current Philippine government’s perspective concerning China’s actions in the eastern part of the South China Sea, known locally as the West Philippine Sea (WPS), is dominated by dismay and anxiety that the situation will only worsen. In response to the Chinese Coast Guard’s blocking of the Philippine Coast Guard vessel BRP Cobra off Zambales on April 6, Palace Press Officer Claire Castro said that President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. expressed concern over the recent incident but underscored the government will maintain a “level of professionalism together with a fearless spirit of patriotism” to address the situation. The Philippines is also vigorously pursuing the modernization of its armed forces and developing its coast guard to better address the operational challenges of China’s growing assertiveness in the area.
The Philippines has long recognized that the growing presence of the China Coast Guard and China’s maritime militia in its Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) directly impacts the ability of Filipino fisherfolk to access fishing grounds critical to their livelihood. An estimated 300,000 Filipino fisherfolk depend on the fishing activities in the WPS.
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