By WPS News Staff Reporter

December 8, 2025

Over the past month, the Philippines has faced a heightened level of Chinese military and paramilitary activity within its lawful maritime zones. The Philippine Navy reported that 19 Chinese warships from the People’s Liberation Army Navy (PLAN) operated within the West Philippine Sea during November 2025, marking a notable escalation in Beijing’s presence. When combined with China Coast Guard and maritime militia vessels, the total number of Chinese ships monitored around key features reached 30 vessels (GMA News, 2025).

According to Rear Admiral Roy Vincent Trinidad, these incursions reflect a sustained attempt to project dominance over Philippine waters. He emphasized that the Navy’s vigilance is part of a broader effort to “safeguard territory, sovereignty, and sovereign rights,” reinforcing the country’s commitment to resisting encroachment (GMA News, 2025).

Aggressive Tactics and Environmental Threats

The most alarming direct confrontation this month involved a Chinese fishing vessel intercepted near Second Thomas Shoal. Philippine Marines suspected the crew of using cyanide to harvest live reef fish — a catastrophic and illegal method capable of destroying coral habitats for generations. Bottles believed to contain cyanide were confiscated, and the vessel was escorted out of Philippine waters (New York Post, 2025).

The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) confirmed that the operation targeted both environmental protection and the defense of national sovereignty. This crackdown aligns with wider concerns that Chinese fishing fleets, often operating with maritime militia support, engage in destructive practices that devastate marine ecosystems and displace Filipino fishing communities.

These incidents form part of a larger pattern of grey-zone operations — coercive actions short of armed conflict — that China routinely employs against smaller neighbors. Analysts have noted that these tactics aim to weaken opposition without triggering a direct military response (Congressional Research Service, 2025).

Beijing’s Position vs. The Hague Ruling

China maintains that its patrols are lawful and fall within what it calls its “historic rights.” The China Coast Guard and supporting PLAN vessels continue to assert authority over features like Scarborough Shoal (Bajo de Masinloc), despite the 2016 Permanent Court of Arbitration ruling which invalidated China’s “nine-dash line” and affirmed that these maritime features lie within the Philippines’ Exclusive Economic Zone (PCA, 2016).

Manila continues to insist that Beijing’s claims have no legal foundation. Philippine Coast Guard officials have accused China of engaging in deliberate violations of sovereignty, citing aggressive maneuvers, radio-challenge refusals, and intentional intimidation of Filipino vessels.

Fears of a Broader Strategy

The increasing number of Chinese military and commercial vessels in Philippine waters raises concerns of a multi-front strategy. Recent investigations revealed that dredging vessels linked to Chinese state-owned contractors have been operating near contested areas, prompting questions about whether these activities are merely commercial or part of a national-security play. Philippine civil society watchdogs have raised the alarm about environmental degradation and covert militarization under the guise of infrastructure work (Philippine Center for Investigative Journalism, 2025).

For the Philippines, this means confronting not only military incursions but also economic, environmental, and informational pressure.

What Manila Must Do

To counter Beijing’s rising pressure, Manila must reinforce its maritime-domain awareness and deploy sustained patrol operations around vulnerable areas. Strategic partnerships with allies — particularly the United States, Japan, Australia, and European nations — remain essential for intelligence sharing and the maintenance of a rules-based order.

Domestically, the government should intensify support for Filipino fishermen, ensuring safe access to traditional fishing grounds and strengthening maritime law-enforcement capacity. The cyanide-suspected incident underscores the urgency of protecting ecosystems while ensuring local livelihoods are preserved.

In the broader regional context, the Philippines must maintain a consistent diplomatic stance backed by transparent communication with ASEAN partners. China’s grey-zone tactics thrive in diplomatic ambiguity; coordinated regional resistance will make it harder for Beijing to continue incremental encroachments.

The past 30 days have shown that the West Philippine Sea remains a flashpoint — not because of sudden changes, but because of a long-running strategy now accelerating. The Philippines cannot afford complacency, and neither can the international community.

APA References

Congressional Research Service. (2025). China’s maritime grey-zone operations. U.S. Congress.

GMA News. (2025). PH Navy: 19 Chinese warships in West Philippine Sea.

New York Post. (2025). Philippine Navy stops Chinese fishermen suspected of using cyanide.

Permanent Court of Arbitration. (2016). The South China Sea Arbitration (The Republic of the Philippines v. The People’s Republic of China). PCA Case No. 2013-19.

Philippine Center for Investigative Journalism. (2025). Chinese vessels operating near disputed waters raise national-security concerns.

Reuters. (2025). China Coast Guard and PLAN conduct patrols around Scarborough Shoal.

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