WPS.News Report
Dateline: Manila, April 25, 2025 | 1500 PHT

Tensions Escalate in West Philippine Sea as Manila Defies Beijing’s Intrusions

MANILA, Philippines — From April 21 through 25, 2025, the Philippine government firmly resisted Chinese maritime pressure in the West Philippine Sea, while weather conditions in the region remained hot and dry. Scarborough Shoal and Second Thomas Shoal again became centers of confrontation, with no compromise reached despite China’s increasing assertiveness.

On April 21, the Philippine Navy publicly dismissed Beijing’s claim that a Philippine vessel had illegally entered Scarborough Shoal. Navy spokesperson Commodore Roy Vincent Trinidad responded:

“Only the Philippine Navy and other Philippine-flagged law enforcement ships have the authority and legal bases to challenge any ship within maritime zones that form part of the Philippine territory.”
(Armed Forces of the Philippines, April 21)

China’s Southern Theatre Command had accused the BRP Apolinario Mabini (PS-36) of entering its so-called “territorial waters,” but Manila reasserted its rights under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS).

U.S.–Philippines Joint Drills and Defense Upgrades

The joint U.S.–Philippine Balikatan military exercises began April 22, with over 14,000 troops conducting simulated defense operations near Luzon’s western coast. A Chinese carrier group, led by the Shandong, passed within 100 nautical miles of Ilocos Norte, prompting Philippine forces to heighten monitoring.

“We closely tracked their presence. They were operating in international waters, but we remain vigilant,” said Commodore Trinidad on April 23.

In a major defense upgrade, Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro confirmed on April 23 that a second batch of BrahMos cruise missiles from India had arrived.

“Now that they’re arriving, we will do what needs to be done to ensure they are used properly,” said Teodoro.

China Monitors U.S. Transit Near Taiwan, No Rebuke of Secretary Rubio

On April 24, the People’s Liberation Army Navy deployed ships and aircraft to “track and monitor” a U.S. Navy destroyer conducting a routine Taiwan Strait transit. This was the second such U.S. mission since January. However, no official Chinese remarks or rebukes toward U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio were issued during this timeframe, despite rising tensions in the South China Sea and Taiwan Strait.

Regional Weather Outlook: Intense Heat, No Cyclones

The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) reported extreme heat indices in 19 locations from April 21–25, reaching up to 44°C. No tropical cyclones were detected in the Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR), and seas in the South China Sea remained generally calm, with light to moderate winds.

Sidebar: Seismic Activity, April 21–25

  • April 21, 4:10 PM – Magnitude 2.1, 10 km depth, near Hinunangan, Southern Leyte
  • April 21, 11:02 PM – Magnitude 1.2, 38 km depth, near Iba, Zambales
  • April 24, 11:18 PM – Magnitude 3.8, 19 km depth, near Surigao del Sur
  • April 25, 9:21 AM – Magnitude 2.2, 20 km depth, near Dinagat Islands

All quakes were minor with no reported damage.

Discover more from WPS News

Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.