The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) has declared a more assertive approach in dealing with China’s aggressive actions in the West Philippine Sea (WPS). Commodore Jay Tarriela, the PCG spokesperson for the WPS, emphasized this shift during a news forum in Quezon City. He stated that the Philippines is now more firm in its position in the WPS, reflecting a policy set from the outset of President Ferdinand ‘Bongbong’ Marcos Jr.’s administration. President Marcos has made it clear that the government will not cede any part of its territory to foreign powers.
Under Marcos’s leadership, the Philippines has strengthened its security alliances, not only with the United States but also with Australia, Japan, and the European Union. These enhanced partnerships are seen as a direct response to the ongoing aggression from China. Tarriela affirmed that the Philippines holds a much firmer stance in the WPS under Marcos’s presidency.
The PCG has been actively challenging Chinese presence near Zambales, where China illegally deploys large vessels to patrol the area. Recently, the PCG vessel BRP Cabra successfully pushed back a new Chinese Coast Guard deployment approximately 100 nautical miles from the Zambales coastline, demonstrating the Philippines’ commitment to defending its maritime boundaries.