28th Parliamentary Intelligence-Security Forum – Shining A Light: Countering Illegal, Coercive, Aggresive, and Deceptive Actions In the South China Sea

Atty. Jay Batongbacal summarized South China Sea/West Philippine Sea developments, focusing on three key areas. First, China employed propaganda to paint the Philippines as a troublemaker for challenging its expansive claims. This obscured the reality of China’s aggressive actions and highlighted the importance of international cooperation in addressing these issues, especially given the increasingly unpredictable global landscape.

Second, the maps revealed significant escalation of Chinese vessel activities since 2020, including its coast guard, militia, and disguised fishing vessels. These vessels engaged in persistent presence, harassing Filipino fishermen (including ramming incidents), and establishing maritime exclusion zones around key Philippine-claimed features like Scarborough Shoal and Second Thomas Shoal. China had also constructed artificial islands, transforming them into forward operating bases for its military and coast guard, further solidifying its control.

Third, China’s activities were expanding beyond surface vessels. Increased aerial activity, including drones, aircraft, and even combat aircraft, had been observed, intimidating Philippine aerial patrols. Furthermore, China’s deployment of marine scientific research vessels suggested the intention to exploit resources in the area, further eroding Philippine rights. The Philippines had responded by increasing transparency efforts to counter China’s disinformation and asserted its resource rights within its EEZ, in recognition of the waters containing crucial fishing grounds and coral reefs vital for its food security. China’s actions appeared to be driven by military and strategic concerns, aiming to secure its southern coast, with Taiwan and the Philippines seen as key areas.