02/04/2026
STATEMENT OF THE NATIONAL MARITIME COUNCIL ON RECENT AGGRESSIVE AND DANGEROUS ACTIONS BY CHINESE MARITIME FORCES IN THE WEST PHILIPPINE SEA
Manila, Philippines | April 2, 2026
STATEMENT OF THE NATIONAL MARITIME COUNCIL ON RECENT AGGRESSIVE AND DANGEROUS ACTIONS BY CHINESE MARITIME FORCES IN THE WEST PHILIPPINE SEA
Manila, Philippines | April 2, 2026
The National Maritime Council (NMC) strongly condemns the recent aggressive and dangerous actions by the China Coast Guard, the Peopleโs Liberation Army Navy, the Chinese Maritime Militia, and other Chinese maritime forces against Philippine vessels, aircraft, and Filipino fisherfolk in the West Philippine Sea. These unlawful acts endanger lives, violate international law, and undermine regional peace and stability.
On 7 March, a PLAN vessel directed its fire-control radar at BRP Miguel Malvar near Escoda Shoal during a lawful patrol, an act constituting a threat of force.
On 17 March, Filipino fisherfolk at Bajo de Masinloc were harassed by Chinese vessels through dangerous maneuvers, sirens, and RHIB deployment, interfering with their lawful fishing activities.
On 20 March, a Philippine Coast Guard aircraft conducting a routine maritime patrol over the Kalayaan Island Group was met with flares near Panganiban Reef, endangering aviation safety. Also, on the same day, a BFAR vessel was subjected to a dangerous maneuver by a CCG vessel at Paredes Reef (Discovery Great Reef).
On 26 March, a Philippine navy vessel avoided collision after a PLAN vessel executed an unsafe maneuver near Pag-asa Island, in violation of COLREGs.
These incidents occurred in areas where the Philippines has sovereignty, sovereign rights, and jurisdiction. Philippine operations in these areas are lawful and consistent with the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) and the 2016 Arbitral Award. On the other hand, the activities of China in these areas are inconsistent with international law and the 2002 Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea (DOC).
The Philippine Coast Guard, the Armed Forces of the Philippines, and relevant maritime agencies remain firm in safeguarding Filipino fisherfolk and upholding the countryโs sovereignty, sovereign rights, and jurisdiction in the West Philippine Sea.
The Philippines will undertake appropriate diplomatic actions and engage existing bilateral dialogue mechanisms towards addressing these incidents and 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.
The National Maritime Council reaffirms its commitment to a peaceful, lawful, and principled approach in protecting the nationโs maritime interests in the West Philippine Sea. (END)
