PH Navy warns Filipinos of ‘real enemy’ in WPS issue

The Philippine Navy alerted the public against being sidetracked by political debates over the West Philippine Sea (WPS), citing that such discussions only serve China’s strategy to sow division among Filipinos.

In a press briefing on Feb. 10, Navy Spokesperson Rear Admiral Roy Vincent Trinidad said that internal discord benefits the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) and undermines national unity on the maritime issue.

“The objective of foreign malign influence (FMI) is to divide Philippine society, divide leaders, and make us forget that the bigger issue is the PLA (People’s Liberation Army) Navy, Chinese Coast Guard, and maritime militia infiltrating our EEZ (exclusive economic zone),” Trinidad said. 

“Understanding how they operate is crucial so we don’t lose sight of our real enemy in the West Philippine Sea,” he added.

Trinidad reasserted that the Philippine government’s claim on the WPS issue remains firm.

“WPS is ours. We will not give up one square inch. There has been [an] illegal presence since 1992 of the Chinese Coast Guard, the PLA Navy, and recently the maritime militia,” Trinidad said.

“The AFP (Armed Forces of the Philippines) will continue performing its mandate as we have done ever since,” he added.

Trinidad reiterated that the presence of the CCP in the WPS poses what he described as an “existential threat” to the Philippines, citing alleged illegal activities, coercive actions, and deceptive messaging.

“Numbers do not lie, people do. Their deceptive messaging gives legitimacy to their coercive actions. They are an existential threat,” he said.

He added that the AFP remains ready to carry out its mandate to protect the country’s territorial sovereignty.

Meanwhile, the Malacañang also stressed the need for consistency and responsibility in public statements on the WPS in a press briefing on Feb. 9.

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. remains firm against surrendering any part of Philippine territory or national interest, according to Palace Press Officer Claire Castro.

“Ang nais din po ng Pangulo, maipahatid ninuman, ng bawat Pilipino kung ano ba ang ating karapatan sa ating teritoryo, kung ano ba ang interes natin sa West Philippine Sea,” Castro said. “Ganoon pa rin po ang posisyon ng Pangulo, wala pong anumang bahagi ng teritoryo natin o anumang interes ang isu-surrender sa anumang foreign power.”

The Permanent Court of Arbitration previously ruled in favor of the Philippines over China’s claims in the WPS in 2016.

China, however, refused to recognize the court ruling and continued its aggression against Philippine vessels and personnel.