Government Prepares Foolproof West Philippine Sea Case
The Philippine government is committed to ensuring that its second international case against China concerning the West Philippine Sea will be foolproof. Officials emphasized this approach during a recent briefing, highlighting the importance of thorough preparation before filing any legal action.
“Basically the guidance, if ever we will file a case, whatever perspective it would be, we will make sure that it will be foolproof,” said a spokesperson from the National Maritime Council (NMC). He added, “Hindi yung magfa-file tayo and then we’re not prepared to file, to be ready with all the information, data, proofs, then, that will be the time.”
Legal Strategy and Evidence Gathering
The Justice Secretary earlier mentioned that the Philippines is currently assessing which international platform would be appropriate for filing this case, which aims to challenge China over alleged damage to the marine environment in the West Philippine Sea.
Once all necessary evidence and documentation are complete, the government will proceed with filing another international case. “Kapag meron na tayong lahat nun, talagang foolproof na, then we will file whatever it is, environmental, another case,” the NMC spokesperson explained.
The process involves coordination with the Department of Justice, which will handle the case after initial vetting and study by the NMC.
Diplomatic Efforts and Legal Action
When asked whether ongoing diplomatic talks with China might delay the filing of the case, a senior legal counsel from the Department of Justice advised against linking the two processes. “The Philippines has always done that, the filing of diplomatic protest. At least, do not connect the filing of diplomatic protest to the decision on the filing of an international case,” she said.
She clarified that diplomatic protests are routine government actions in response to violations and are not prerequisites for pursuing international legal remedies.
Regarding the preparation status of the possible case, officials confirmed that it remains under study. The decision to proceed will be a collective one involving multiple government agencies, not solely the Justice Department.
West Philippine Sea Tensions and Incidents
Recent monitoring revealed that in early 2025, 638 Chinese vessels were spotted in the West Philippine Sea. These vessels were involved in approximately 270 incidents described as illegal, coercive, aggressive, and deceptive. These included dangerous maneuvers, shadowing, blocking, driving away Philippine ships, and spreading disinformation.
China continues to claim nearly the entire South China Sea, a vital maritime route for global trade worth over $3 trillion annually. This claim overlaps with areas also claimed by the Philippines and several other Southeast Asian nations.
To assert its sovereignty, the Philippine government has renamed the parts of the South China Sea that fall within its territory as the West Philippine Sea. This area includes the waters west of the Philippine archipelago, such as the Luzon Sea and the zones around the Kalayaan Island Group and Bajo de Masinloc.
Legal Background and Future Outlook
In 2016, the Permanent Court of Arbitration ruled in favor of the Philippines, stating China’s expansive claims had no legal basis. However, China has refused to accept this ruling.
Despite ongoing tensions, the Philippines remains focused on building a foolproof West Philippine Sea case to protect its maritime rights and environment. The government is carefully balancing diplomatic efforts with legal strategies to assert its claims and uphold international law.
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