National Maritime Council

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 People’s 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 country’s 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 nation’s maritime interests in the West Philippine Sea. (END)

✨🌊Today marks two years since the publication of Executive Order No. 57 s.2024 "𝐒𝐭𝐫𝐞𝐧𝐠𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐧𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐌𝐚𝐫𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐦𝐞 𝐒𝐞𝐜𝐮𝐫𝐢𝐭𝐲 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐌𝐚𝐫𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐦𝐞 𝐃𝐨𝐦𝐚𝐢𝐧 𝐀𝐰𝐚𝐫𝐞𝐧𝐞𝐬𝐬."

Through the EO 57, s. 2024, the National Coast Watch Council was reorganized into the National Maritime Council, composed of cabinet secretaries from different sectors, to address the country’s many maritime security issues through a coordinated inter-agency approach. As secretariat to the Council, the Presidential Office for Maritime Concerns (POMC) provides consultative, research, administrative, and technical support to the Council to ensure the effective implementation of its policies.

To bolster our maritime domain awareness, EO 57 also reinvigorated the National Maritime Center for the implementation and coordination of maritime security operations, in accordance with the strategic direction and policy guidance issued by the Council.

Since 2024, these entities have been working together towards securing our waters through a coordinated and whole-of-government approach.

Today, we mark a decade of steadfast commitment to safeguarding our national interest in the West Philippine Sea.

The National Security Council joins the nation in commemorating the 𝟏𝟎𝐭𝐡 𝐀𝐧𝐧𝐢𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐬𝐚𝐫𝐲 𝐨𝐟 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐍𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐚𝐥 𝐓𝐚𝐬𝐤 𝐅𝐨𝐫𝐜𝐞 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐖𝐞𝐬𝐭 𝐏𝐡𝐢𝐥𝐢𝐩𝐩𝐢𝐧𝐞 𝐒𝐞𝐚 (𝐍𝐓𝐅-𝐖𝐏𝐒) - a whole-of-government mechanism that has strengthened coordination, enhanced maritime domain awareness, and advanced our efforts to uphold the Philippines’ sovereignty and sovereign rights.

For ten years, the NTF-WPS has brought together key government agencies in a unified approach ensuring that our policies, operations, and communications remain aligned in addressing evolving challenges in our maritime domain. Central to these efforts is the government’s transparency initiative providing timely, accurate, and factual information to the public and the international community to promote accountability, counter disinformation, and reinforce a rules-based international order.

As we move forward, we reaffirm our commitment to the peaceful resolution of disputes and the protection of our national interest guided by the principles of cooperation, resilience, transparency, and shared responsibility.

𝐓𝐈𝐆𝐍𝐀𝐍 | 𝐏𝐈𝐍𝐀𝐔𝐍𝐋𝐀𝐊𝐀𝐍 𝐍𝐈 𝐔𝐍𝐃𝐄𝐑𝐒𝐄𝐂𝐑𝐄𝐓𝐀𝐑𝐘 𝐀𝐋𝐄𝐗𝐀𝐍𝐃𝐄𝐑 𝐒. 𝐋𝐎𝐏𝐄𝐙 𝐀𝐍𝐆 𝐈𝐌𝐁𝐈𝐓𝐀𝐒𝐘𝐎𝐍 𝐁𝐈𝐋𝐀𝐍𝐆 𝐊𝐄𝐘𝐍𝐎𝐓𝐄 𝐒𝐏𝐄𝐀𝐊𝐄𝐑 𝐒𝐀 𝐈𝐊𝐀-𝟏𝟐 𝐍𝐀 𝐈𝐍𝐒𝐓𝐀𝐋𝐋𝐌𝐄𝐍𝐓 𝐍𝐆 𝐔𝐒𝐓 𝐌𝐎𝐃𝐄𝐋 𝐀𝐒𝐄𝐀𝐍 𝐌𝐄𝐄𝐓𝐈𝐍𝐆 𝐂𝐎𝐍𝐅𝐄𝐑𝐄𝐍𝐂𝐄⁣⁣
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Huwebes, ika-19 ng Pebrero, 2026, dumalo si Usec. Alexander Lopez, tagapagsalita ng National Maritime Council, sa University of Santo Tomas para paunlakan ang imbitasyon bilang keynote speaker sa ika-12 na installment ng UST Model ASEAN Meeting na may temang “𝘜𝘯𝘪𝘵𝘦𝘥 𝘪𝘯 𝘊𝘰𝘯𝘵𝘪𝘯𝘶𝘪𝘵𝘺: 𝘋𝘳𝘪𝘷𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘐𝘯𝘯𝘰𝘷𝘢𝘵𝘪𝘷𝘦 𝘚𝘰𝘭𝘶𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯𝘴 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘙𝘦𝘨𝘪𝘰𝘯𝘢𝘭 𝘚𝘵𝘢𝘣𝘪𝘭𝘪𝘵𝘺 𝘵𝘰𝘸𝘢𝘳𝘥𝘴 𝘢 𝘗𝘳𝘰𝘴𝘱𝘦𝘳𝘰𝘶𝘴 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘗𝘦𝘰𝘱𝘭𝘦-𝘊𝘦𝘯𝘵𝘦𝘳𝘦𝘥 𝘈𝘚𝘌𝘈𝘕”⁣.⁣
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Sa kaniyang talumpati, tinalakay ni Usec. Lopez ang kahalagahan ng karagatan para sa rehiyon ng Timog-silangang Asya at kung paano nito pinagbubuklod-buklod ang mga bansa sa rehiyon. Karugtong nito, nagbigay payo rin si Usec. Lopez sa mga "delegates" na laging unahin ang pambansang interes.

STATEMENT

NAMRIA on West Philippine Sea and Official Philippine Maps
The National Mapping and Resource Information Authority (NAMRIA) clarifies to the public the role of official Philippine maps and nautical charts in showing and protecting our maritime jurisdiction in the West Philippine Sea.

Since 2012, the Philippines has formally used the name West Philippine Sea in government publications. In accordance with this policy, NAMRIA places the label consistently across its official maps and charts, including administrative maps, topographic maps, thematic maps, and nautical charts used for navigation.

These materials serve practical and technical purposes. They are reference documents used by mariners, planners, researchers, and institutions, both domestic and international, for navigation, geographic information, and safety at sea.

On maritime boundaries
In light of ongoing public discussions, NAMRIA wishes to clarify the manner by which the country’s Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) is represented.

Under international law, the EEZ extends up to 200 nautical miles from the country’s archipelagic baselines. This creates a continuous curved boundary, similar to the edge of a circle, not a polygon made of straight lines.

Because of this, a short list of coordinates would not accurately describe the maritime limit. The boundary is therefore represented through precise geospatial data derived from the archipelagic baselines defined in RA 9522, allowing navigation systems and mapping software to determine the limit correctly.

International standards and use
NAMRIA’s nautical charts follow international hydrographic standards and are utilized by both Philippine and foreign vessels navigating waters under Philippine jurisdiction. The charts are also submitted to relevant international technical bodies, including the International Hydrographic Organization.

Through these established technical processes, Philippine geographic information is integrated into the global maritime record and supports safe navigation and responsible maritime activity.

Commitment
NAMRIA’s mandate is to produce accurate and reliable geospatial information for the country. By maintaining scientifically correct maps and internationally compliant nautical charts, the agency contributes to maritime safety, environmental management, disaster preparedness, and proper documentation of national territory.

NAMRIA will continue to uphold this mandate in support of national sovereignty, maritime safety, disaster preparedness, and sound resource management.

To download the official administrative map, please visit the NAMRIA website or follow this link: https://namria.gov.ph/Downloads/AdminMap/AdminMapPH.jpg.

STATEMENT OF THE NATIONAL MARITIME COUNCIL

Manila, Philippines | January 28, 2026

The National Maritime Council (NMC) fully supports the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) in its recent statement addressing unfounded and misleading claims regarding developments in the West Philippine Sea.

The Philippine Government’s position remains clear and consistent: we are guided by truth, transparency, and the rule of law in upholding our maritime rights and interests. These rights are grounded in international law, particularly the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), and affirmed by the 2016 Arbitral Award.

The NMC recognizes the importance of accurate, evidence-based public discourse on maritime issues. Facts on the ground that are documented through lawful, transparent, and professional means remain central to our national maritime policy and to informed public understanding.

We underscore that official engagements with other States are conducted at the institutional and State levels through established diplomatic and legal channels. Such engagements are governed by international law and mutual respect, not by rhetoric, misinformation, and disinformation, or attempts to inflame public sentiment.

The Philippines does not seek provocation or escalation. Our approach is measured and responsible: to protect our people, uphold our sovereign rights and maritime entitlements, and pursue peaceful resolution of disputes through lawful and diplomatic means, consistent with our obligations as a responsible member of the international community.

The NMC calls for restraint, factual clarity, and respect for international law in all discussions relating to the West Philippine Sea. We remain united with the DFA and other government institutions in advancing a principled, coherent, and credible national position that safeguards our sovereignty, sovereign rights, and jurisdiction. (END)

READ | STATEMENT OF THE DFA

MANILA 21 January 2026 – In response to the remarks made recently by the Chinese Foreign Ministry Spokesman, the DFA affirms its support for publicly elected officials and government institutions performing their lawful duties in defense of Philippine sovereignty, sovereign rights, and jurisdiction.

The DFA reiterates that differences between States are best addressed through established diplomatic channels rather than public exchanges.

In firm and consistent fashion, the DFA will continue to articulate the Philippines’ positions on the West Philippine Sea and the South China Sea, which are grounded in international law, including the 1982 UNCLOS and the 2016 South China Sea Arbitral Award. END

TINGNAN: Suportado ng Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) ang pahayag ng mga opisyal ng pamahalaan at mga institusyon na nagtataguyod para protektahan ang hurisdiksyon at soberanya ng Pilipinas.

Sa pahayag ng DFA ngayong Miyerkoles, Jan. 21, iginiit rin ng kagawaran na ang pagkakaiba sa pagitan ng mga estado ay mainam na lutasin sa pamamagitan ng mga established diplomatic channels, sa halip na mga public exchanges.

Ipagpapatuloy rin ng DFA na maihayag ang posisyon ng bansa sa West Philippine Sea at South China Sea na alinsunod sa international law, kabilang ang 1982 UNCLOS at 2016 SCS Arbitral Award. | via Gab Humilde Villegas

STATEMENT OF THE NATIONAL MARITIME COUNCIL ON THE SITUATION IN THE WEST PHILIPPINE SEA

Manila, Philippines | January 17, 2026

The National Maritime Council (NMC) takes note of the recent statement issued by the Chinese Embassy in the Philippines concerning the situation in the West Philippine Sea (WPS).

The Philippines reiterates its clear and settled position: our actions in the WPS are lawful, responsible, and firmly grounded in international law. They are consistent with the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) and the 2016 Arbitral Award, which is final and legally binding.

The Award clarified the application of UNCLOS in the South China Sea (SCS) and the WPS and affirmed the maritime entitlements of the Philippines, including the country’s sovereign rights over low-tide elevations (LTEs) wholly within its exclusive economic zone (EEZ) and continental shelf, such as the Panganiban Reef and Ayungin Shoal.

The same Award also established that large-scale land reclamation and artificial island-building by China in the Philippines’ EEZ, and the massive harvesting of endangered marine species both within the Philippines’ EEZ and the territorial sea of Bajo de Masinloc (BDM) by Chinese vessels, caused serious harm to the marine environment and violated UNCLOS.

On the other hand, the Philippines has remained faithful to UNCLOS and its resort to arbitration was found to be firmly grounded in UNCLOS and general international law. It is to be underscored that both the Philippines and China have already given their advance consent to compulsory arbitration upon their ratification of the UNCLOS and that the maritime issues brought by the Philippines for resolution by arbitration were found to be within the Tribunal’s jurisdiction under UNCLOS.

Guided by these principles, the Philippines continues to pursue a policy of restraint, transparency, and respect for international law. Philippine maritime activities will continue to be conducted in order to protect the country’s sovereignty, sovereign rights and jurisdiction, and to safeguard the welfare of Filipinos, especially our traditional fisherfolk and coastal communities who rely on the sea for their livelihood. These lawful activities should not be misrepresented as acts of aggression or provocation.

The Philippines remains committed to the peaceful management of differences and to prevent misunderstandings and miscalculations at sea. We will continue to engage in dialogue, support confidence-building measures, and work with all parties to ensure that activities at sea and in the air are carried out safely, professionally, and in accordance with international law.

At the same time, the Philippines will continue to speak clearly and consistently when its sovereignty, sovereign rights or jurisdiction is challenged, and to work with the international community in upholding a rules-based maritime order. We remain ready to engage constructively, in good faith, and with mutual respect, in the interest of peace, stability, and cooperation in the region. (END)

STATEMENT OF THE NATIONAL MARITIME COUNCIL ON THE RECENT REMARKS BY THE CHINESE EMBASSY ON THE SITUATION IN THE WEST PHILIPPINE SEA

Manila, Philippines | January 12, 2026

The National Maritime Council (NMC) reaffirms the Philippines’ consistent and principled position on the developments in the West Philippine Sea (WPS).

Tensions in the WPS are the direct result of China's persistent illegal, coercive, aggressive and deceptive (ICAD) activities within the maritime zones of the Philippines as provided by the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) and affirmed by the 2016 Arbitral Award.

China’s claim that the Philippines “stages provocations” by deploying government vessels or allowing Filipino fisherfolk to operate in these waters is preposterous and completely false. Filipino fishers are civilians lawfully pursuing their livelihoods within the Philippines’ maritime zones. Protecting them is a responsibility of the State, not an act of escalation.

Philippine operations in the WPS are conducted solely to ensure maritime safety, provide humanitarian assistance, and enforce the law. These actions are legitimate, lawful and consistent with international law, particularly UNCLOS and the 2016 Arbitral Award. The ICAD activities of Chinese vessels or aircraft, such as dangerous maneuvers, blocking, ramming, intimidation, the use or firing of water cannons against Philippine vessels and Filipino fishers, and dangerously close aerial maneuvers place lives at risk, unnecessarily destroy property at sea, and undermine peace and stability in the WPS and the region.

We call on China to abide by international law, particularly UNCLOS and the 2016 Arbitral Award, to ensure stability in the region. The Philippines remains open to constructive dialogue and consultations for the peaceful development of the region in accordance with international law.