WPS.News

Publication Date: December 19, 2025

By Cliff Potts
Chief Strategy Officer, Editor-in-Chief, WPS News

December 12–19, 2025

From December 12 through December 19, 2025, the West Philippine Sea experienced a notable escalation in Chinese maritime activity within areas internationally recognized as part of the Philippines’ Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ). Incidents reported during this period reflect a sustained pattern of coercive behavior by Chinese maritime forces, particularly the China Coast Guard (CCG), directed not only at Philippine government vessels but also at civilian fishing boats operating in contested waters.

These actions occurred despite the 2016 Permanent Court of Arbitration ruling, which invalidated China’s expansive “nine-dash line” claims under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS). Beijing continues to reject that ruling, asserting unilateral sovereignty over large portions of the South China Sea, including waters Manila designates as the West Philippine Sea.

Water Cannons, Collisions, and Civilian Harm

The most serious incident of the week occurred near Sabina Shoal on December 13, when Philippine authorities reported that Chinese Coast Guard vessels used high-pressure water cannons and aggressive maneuvering against Filipino fishing boats. According to Philippine government statements, at least three fishermen were injured and multiple vessels sustained damage during the confrontation (Reuters, 2025a).

Philippine officials further stated that Chinese vessels cut anchor lines and blocked fishing boats in rough seas, actions that significantly increased the risk to civilian lives. These encounters were documented and publicly released as part of the Philippine government’s transparency policy, which aims to expose coercive maritime behavior through verified imagery and official reporting.

China, in turn, accused the Philippines of “illegally entering” waters it claims as its own, asserting that the China Coast Guard’s actions were “necessary control measures” to enforce Chinese sovereignty near what Beijing refers to as Xianbin Jiao (Sabina Shoal). Chinese officials denied wrongdoing and accused Manila of distorting the facts surrounding the incidents (Reuters, 2025b).

Manila’s Official Response and Diplomatic Escalation

The Philippine government responded forcefully. Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr. publicly described China’s actions as “dangerous and inhumane,” emphasizing that the use of water cannons and obstruction tactics against civilian fishermen violated international maritime norms and endangered human life at sea.

On December 16, Manila filed a formal diplomatic protest against Beijing and ordered the expanded deployment of Philippine Coast Guard vessels in key areas of the West Philippine Sea. President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. directed the PCG to maintain a visible presence to protect Filipino fishermen and reinforce Philippine sovereign rights within its EEZ.

This response aligns with the administration’s broader transparency initiative, launched in 2023, which seeks to counter gray-zone coercion by exposing incidents to domestic and international audiences rather than allowing them to occur quietly at sea.

Allied Reactions and Strategic Signaling

The United States quickly voiced support for the Philippines, with U.S. officials condemning China’s actions as “dangerous and destabilizing.” Washington reiterated that the U.S.–Philippines Mutual Defense Treaty applies to armed attacks on Philippine public vessels, including coast guard assets, in the Pacific region.

American statements during the week underscored growing concern that China’s maritime tactics are increasingly targeting civilian actors, blurring the line between law enforcement and military coercion. Regional observers note that these confrontations are being closely watched by other Southeast Asian states facing similar pressure in disputed waters.

Airspace Incidents and Broader Context

Maritime confrontations were accompanied by rising tensions in the air. On December 12, China claimed it had “driven away” a Philippine aircraft operating near Scarborough Shoal, another long-contested feature in the West Philippine Sea (Reuters, 2025c). Manila rejected China’s characterization, stating that the aircraft was operating lawfully within Philippine airspace.

Together, the sea and air incidents reflect a coordinated pattern of pressure designed to normalize Chinese control while testing Philippine resolve and alliance commitments.

Conclusion: A Critical Week in an Ongoing Contest

The events of December 12–19, 2025, underscore a hard reality: the West Philippine Sea remains a frontline arena of strategic competition, where civilian fishermen are increasingly exposed to state-level coercion. China’s actions during this period were not isolated encounters but part of a sustained effort to assert control through intimidation and repetition.

The Philippine government’s decision to escalate diplomatically, expand coast guard deployments, and publicize incidents signals a shift away from quiet accommodation toward active resistance grounded in international law. As tensions continue, the West Philippine Sea stands as a test case for whether rules-based maritime order can withstand persistent gray-zone pressure.

References

Reuters. (2025a, December 13). Philippines says fishermen hurt, boats damaged by China in South China Sea.

Reuters. (2025b, December 17). China says Philippines distorted facts about incident near disputed atoll.

Reuters. (2025c, December 12). China says it drove away Philippine aircraft above disputed Scarborough Shoal.

Philippine Star. (2025, December 16). Marcos orders more PCG vessels deployed in West Philippine Sea.

BWorld Online. (2025, December 15). US backs Philippines after Chinese water cannon incident in South China Sea.

United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, Dec. 10, 1982, 1833 U.N.T.S. 397.

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