Defending Sovereignty: The Philippines Territorial and Economic
Relationship with China over the West Philippine Sea
The Philippines is an archipelagic country located in Southeast Asia, rich in marine
biodiversity and mineral resources. The Philippines claim to the West Philippine Sea
is grounded in international law, particularly the United Nations Convention on the
Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), which designates an exclusive economic zone (EEZ)
extending 200 nautical miles from a nation's coastline. The Philippines has
consistently argued that its claims align with these provisions, focusing on areas
like the Scarborough Shoal and the Spratly Islands. West Philippine Sea is an area
that is rich in marine resources, oil, gas, and crucial shipping lanes. For decades,
both nations have asserted claims to various parts of this disputed maritime zone.
Central to its geopolitical and economic interests is the West Philippine Sea, part of
the larger South China Sea, a crucial area in global shipping lanes. The West
Philippine Sea is claimed by both China and the Philippines. China’s "nine-dash line"
covers almost the entire South China Sea, including parts of the Philippine exclusive
economic zone (EEZ), as defined by the United Nations Convention on the Law of
the Sea (UNCLOS). China is claiming “indisputable sovereignty” over all the islands
and waters enclosed by the nine U-shaped lines that enclose 85.7 percent of the
entire South China Sea. And the West Philippine Sea is one of them. This dispute not
only tests the sovereignty of the Philippines but also has broader implications for
regional stability, economic development, and international law.
The territorial dispute impacts the Philippines both economically and politically.
Economically, the West Philippine Sea is rich in fisheries, oil, and gas resources. The
Philippines relies on these resources for food security, energy production, and
economic development. Chinese aggressive presence threatens Filipino fishermen’s
livelihoods and access to these resources. Politically, the dispute challenges the
Philippines' sovereignty and strains its relations with China. While strengthening the
alliance with the United States, Japan, and other regional partners for security
support.
The Philippines has adopted a multi-pronged approach to addressing the West
Philippine Sea dispute. This includes diplomatic engagement to resolve the issue
peacefully. The Department of Foreign Affairs has lodged numerous diplomatic
protests against China for violations of Philippine sovereignty. Military
modernization to defend its territory. The Armed Forces of the Philippines has
increased its presence in the WPS by conducting naval patrols and building facilities
in contested areas such as Pag-asa Island. Legal measures with international bodies
to uphold the rule of law. The country has consistently argued that China’s claims
violate international law, as demonstrated by the 2016 arbitral ruling. Furthermore,
the Philippines justifies its actions based on the need to protect its natural
resources, ensure national security, and uphold international norms.
The Duterte administration initially pursued a pro-China policy, downplaying the
dispute in favor of economic cooperation with Beijing. However, domestic criticism
and continued Chinese encroachments led to a more balanced stance later in his
term. Under the current Marcos administration, the Philippines has reasserted its
position by strengthening alliances with the United States and other regional
powers, such as Japan and Australia, while still engaging diplomatically with China.
President Marcos Jr. has reiterated that "the West Philippine Sea is ours, and we will
not surrender it" in his presidential speech,2022, emphasizing the need to defend
the nation's territorial integrity and the welfare of Filipino fishermen. And also,
President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., in his recent statements, "Ang West Philippine Sea
ay hindi isang kathang-isip natin lamang. Ito ay atin. At ito ay mananatiling atin,
hangga’t nag-aalab ang diwa ng ating mahal na bansang Pilipinas," he said in his
SONA, 2024.
The Philippines is a signatory to several international conventions relevant to the
West Philippine Sea dispute, including the UNCLOS (1982). The Philippines ratified
UNCLOS, which defines the country’s exclusive economic zone (EEZ) and sovereign
rights over the resources in the WPS. Permanent Court of Arbitration (2016),
landmark legal victory at the Hague clarified its right under UNCLOS and dismissed
China’s claims based on historical grounds. Also, the Philippines has supported an
ASEAN resolution calling for peaceful dispute resolution and respect for
international law in the South China Sea. The Philippines has actively supported
United Nations efforts to resolve disputes through peaceful means. It has
emphasized the importance of upholding UNCLOS and the 2016 arbitral ruling in
addressing the WPS issue. The Philippines advocates for UN-backed multilateral
diplomacy in managing the South China Sea tensions.
The Philippines believes that the West Philippine Sea should be governed by
international law. The country advocates for peaceful diplomacy and arbitration in
its 2016 case against China. The Philippines seeks international support to pressure
China into abiding by arbitral rulings and preventing further militarization of the
region. If the West Philippine Sea remains under Philippine jurisdiction, the country
aims to develop and protect its resources while ensuring regional stability. The
Philippines would enhance its environmental protection efforts to preserve marine
biodiversity, secure oil and gas exploration for economic growth, and safeguard the
livelihoods of local fishermen. To ensure the West Philippine Sea's protection, the
government would likely expand its military and naval capabilities, strengthen
alliances with regional powers, and actively participate in multilateral discussions
for the sustainable management of the South China Sea. The Philippines continues
to seek a peaceful yet firm resolution to the dispute with China, ensuring the
protection of its territorial integrity and resources for future generations
Reference:
1. Permanent Court of Arbitration. "The South China Sea Arbitration (The Republic of
the Philippines v. The People's Republic of China)." 2016. [PCA](https://pca-
cpa.org/en/cases/7/)
2. United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS). "Full Text of the
Convention." [UNCLOS]
(https://www.un.org/depts/los/convention_agreements/texts/unclos/unclos_e.pdf)
3. Department of Foreign Affairs, Republic of the Philippines. "Philippine Protests
China's Maritime Aggressions." 2023.
4. Marcos Jr., Ferdinand. "The West Philippine Sea is Ours, and We Will Not
Surrender It." Presidential Speech, 2022.
5. ASEAN Secretariat. "ASEAN’s Role in the South China Sea Dispute Resolution."
2023.
6. The Philippines and China: The West Philippine Sea dispute | GMA News Online
(gmanetwork.com)
7. Understanding the sovereignty dispute in the West Philippine Sea - Manila
Standard
