🇵🇠Reclaiming Sovereignty: Why the Philippines Has Changed Its Strategy in the West Philippine Sea 
🌊 A Sea of Disputes
The West Philippine Sea, part of the larger South China Sea, is rich in resources and strategically vital. Despite a 2016 arbitral ruling by the Permanent Court of Arbitration that invalidated China’s expansive claims, Beijing has continued to build artificial islands, deploy coast guard vessels, and harass Filipino fishers. For years, the Philippines struggled to enforce its legal victory.
🔄 The Marcos Pivot
Under President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., the Philippines has adopted a bold, multi-pronged strategy to defend its maritime rights:
- Persistent Patrols: The Philippine Coast Guard now maintains regular patrols in contested waters, even under threat.
- Legal Reinforcement: The Maritime Zones Act was passed to define and protect the country’s Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ).
- Public Transparency: Incidents like water cannon attacks and ship blockades are now documented and shared globally.
- Diplomatic Push: The Philippines is actively engaging allies like the U.S., Japan, and Australia to bolster regional security.
This isn’t just about defense—it’s about reclaiming dignity, protecting livelihoods, and standing firm against intimidation.
⚖️ Duterte vs Marcos Jr.: A Tale of Two Strategies
| Aspect | Duterte Administration (2016–2022) | Marcos Jr. Administration (2022–Present) |
|---|---|---|
| Stance on China | Pursued “friendship-first” diplomacy, downplaying disputes. | Assertive stance emphasizing sovereignty and rule of law. |
| 2016 Arbitral Ruling | Called it a “piece of paper”; rarely invoked. | Actively cited in diplomatic and public forums. |
| EDCA (U.S. Defense Pact) | Threatened to abrogate the agreement. | Expanded EDCA and deepened U.S. military ties. |
| Military Presence | Reduced patrols and joint exercises. | Increased patrols and documented Chinese aggression. |
| Public Messaging | Avoided confrontation; emphasized economic ties. | Transparent and vocal about maritime incidents. |
| Diplomatic Strategy | Bilateral talks with China. | Multilateral engagement with Indo-Pacific allies. |
The shift from appeasement to assertiveness marks a turning point in Philippine foreign policy.
🌏 The Indo-Pacific Awakens: Regional Defense Against China
The Philippines isn’t alone. Across the Indo-Pacific, nations are coordinating to counter China’s growing assertiveness:
- Joint Military Exercises: The U.S., Japan, Australia, and the Philippines conduct regular drills in contested waters.
- Expanded Defense Agreements: EDCA sites near Taiwan and the South China Sea signal strategic readiness.
- Transparency as Strategy: Public documentation of Chinese aggression helps rally global support.
- Cyber and Tech Upgrades: Nations are investing in surveillance, missile defense, and cyber capabilities.
- ASEAN’s Role: While balancing autonomy, ASEAN members increasingly align with Indo-Pacific coalitions.
China, meanwhile, continues to reject the Indo-Pacific framework, viewing it as a containment strategy. Its 2025 defense white paper reaffirms its intent to defend “core interests” like Taiwan and the South China Sea—even by force.
🕵️‍♀️ Disinformation and Denial: How Fake News Undermined Philippine Sovereignty
One of the most troubling legacies of the previous administration was its tolerance—and at times amplification—of disinformation that favored China and discredited the Philippines’ own allies.
🚨 Coordinated Fake News Campaigns
Investigations revealed that Chinese-linked marketing firms ran cyber campaigns in the Philippines to weaken support for the government’s maritime stance and sow distrust toward the United States. These campaigns used fake social media accounts to spread pro-China narratives and anti-American sentiment.
The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) also exposed local influencers and vloggers who echoed these narratives, blaming Filipino forces for confrontations and defending controversial Chinese-linked operations like POGOs (Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators).
🧠Misconceptions from the Duterte Era
PCG Commodore Jay Tarriela publicly stated that the Duterte administration’s misleading statements created a “false sense of security” among Filipinos regarding the West Philippine Sea. This narrative downplayed the threat and discouraged assertive action.
🤝 Undermining Allies
By threatening to abrogate the Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement (EDCA) and dismissing the 2016 arbitral ruling, the former administration not only weakened the Philippines’ legal position but also strained relationships with like-minded countries committed to upholding international law.
✊ A New Chapter in Maritime Sovereignty
The Philippines’ shift is more than tactical—it’s symbolic. It signals a nation reclaiming its voice, its dignity, and its place in the regional order. As the Indo-Pacific redefines its security architecture, the Philippines stands not as a passive player, but as a proactive defender of international law and regional stability.
And let this be clear: standing up for our country does not mean sowing hatred toward others. It means asserting our rights with courage, dignity, and respect. It means choosing strength over silence, unity over fear, and peace over provocation. True patriotism uplifts—not vilifies.