Strategic view on maritime governance

While this week’s occurrence in the West Philippine Sea is no longer surprising, it remains brazen, menacing, and deeply alarming.

On Oct. 12, Chinese Coast Guard (CCG) and Chinese Maritime Militia (CMM) vessels approached three Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) vessels, including the BRP Datu Pagbuaya, anchored near Pag-asa Island. The BFAR vessels were assisting Filipino fisherfolk under the “Kadiwa para sa Bagong Bayaning Mangingisda” (KBBM) program.

The Chinese then conducted dangerous maneuvers and activated their water cannons. Not content with these hostile actions, one CCG vessel fired a water cannon directly at the BRP Datu Pagbuaya and deliberately rammed its stern, causing minor damage but no injuries to the crew.

The Philippine Coast Guard’s spokesperson for the West Philippine Sea, Commodore Jay Tarriela, described this encounter as the “closest reported incident of bullying by the CCG,” this statement, made during a press briefing, underscores how such actions threaten regional stability and the safety of Filipino personnel.

But what happened on Oct. 12 is only the latest instance of harassment. Less than a month earlier, on Sept. 16, another BFAR-operated vessel was subjected to dangerous maneuvers; it sustained water cannon assaults by CCG and CMM vessels in Bajo de Masinloc. The incident injured one Filipino crew member due to shattered glass caused by the impact.

Prior to this, on Aug. 11, a People’s Liberation Army Navy vessel and a CCG vessel, in the waters of Bajo de Masinloc, executed aggressive and dangerous maneuvers with the clear intent of obstructing one of the patrol vessels of the Philippine Coast Guard. These vessels then collided into each other.

One incident is in itself disturbing enough. But the emerging pattern and its growing intensity and frequency are alarming. Taken together, these acts reveal a dangerous and deliberate pattern of aggression aimed at normalizing China’s unlawful presence and coercive behavior in Philippine waters.

These events underscore that the true source of instability in the region is Beijing’s continued disregard for international law, including the 2016 arbitral award by the Permanent Court of Arbitration. The PCA decision decisively invalidated China’s expansive and baseless claims.

China has, of course, chosen to ignore the PCA’s decision because it exposes its claims for what they are–unfounded excuses for expansionism. It insists it does not fall under the jurisdiction of the PCA, when many other countries in the world do and in fact acknowledge its power to resolve disputes.

The Philippines has also filed numerous diplomatic protests for these instances of harassment.

As of writing, seven foreign missions—the United States, United Kingdom, Japan, Australia, New Zealand, Finland, and the European Union Delegation to the Philippines—have publicly condemned China’s latest act of aggression in the West Philippine Sea and reaffirmed their support for the rules-based order.

Indeed, it is one thing for the Philippines to face constant threats to its sovereignty. But it is quite another to respond to the broader challenge of ensuring sustainable and inclusive governance of its waters. The Philippines is emboldened by the support of the international community, which shares our reverence for the rule of law and our deep commitment to keeping the peace not only in our areas of sovereignty but in the whole Indo-Pacific region.

These same like-minded countries who articulate their support of Philippine sovereignty and their condemnation of China’s acts are also being steady partners in ensuring and practicing maritime governance. After all, beyond external aggression, the Philippines grapples with marine pollution, illegal and unreported fishing, coastal degradation, and the worsening impact of climate change on coastal livelihoods and ecosystems.

An example would be France, which has been among the Philippines’ steadfast partners in advancing this vision. Through the “Blue Nations: France and the Philippines, Partners for the Oceans” initiative, both countries continue to promote a comprehensive and cooperative approach to maritime governance.

This partnership was again highlighted in the Blue Talks titled “France and the Philippines: Promoting a Sustainable and Inclusive Maritime Governance in the Indo-Pacific,” a forum jointly organized by the Stratbase Institute and the Embassy of France in the Philippines.

Ultimately, effective maritime governance is not only about defending territory but about ensuring that the seas remain a shared space of peace, prosperity, and sustainability. Here, the Philippines cannot and should not stand alone. A whole-of-society approach that integrates maritime security, economic resilience, and environmental stewardship.

By harnessing the strength of alliances, empowering local communities, and ensuring that governance frameworks are inclusive and transparent, we can protect our waters—not only from coercion, but from exploitation and neglect. True maritime security begins with shared responsibility and sustained cooperation. This is our long view even as we are prepared to address each and every instance of China’s bullying in our sovereign waters.

—————-

Dindo Manhit is the founder and CEO of Stratbase Group.