What Is WPS News

By Cliff Potts, CSO, and Editor-in-Chief of WPS News
Baybay City, Leyte, Philippines — January 21, 2026

Purpose

WPS News exists to provide clear, verified reporting on the West Philippine Sea and related regional security issues that directly affect the Philippines. The goal is accuracy over time, not attention in the moment.

Why It Was Created

Coverage of the West Philippine Sea often appears only during dramatic incidents. This creates gaps in public understanding. The situation is continuous, not occasional. WPS News was created to document that continuity and to explain what is happening in plain language.

What We Cover

WPS News focuses on:

• Maritime activity in the West Philippine Sea
• Coast guard and naval operations that affect Philippine waters
• Fisheries access and safety of Filipino fishermen
• Energy and resource development
• Legal and policy actions connected to maritime rights

Stories outside this scope are not prioritized. This focus is intentional.

How We Report

WPS News uses fixed-position journalism. Reports are published on a regular schedule, using verified sources and documented evidence. Language is kept direct and factual. Claims are checked before publication. Updates are made when facts change.

The newsroom does not chase viral traffic or political messaging. Reporting is guided by what Filipinos need to know to understand their environment and make informed decisions.

Independence

WPS News is independently run. It does not accept funding from governments, political parties, or corporations. This independence allows reporting without pressure to soften language or avoid difficult facts.

Who This Is For

WPS News is written for Filipino readers first. It is also used by analysts, researchers, and journalists who need reliable sourcing. The content is designed to be readable and respectful, using local context when helpful, and avoiding unnecessary jargon.

Ongoing Explanation

This article begins a short series explaining how WPS News operates and why it exists. Transparency builds trust. Filipinos deserve to know who is reporting on their waters and how that reporting is done.

For more social commentary, please see Occupy 2.5 at https://Occupy25.com

This essay will be archived as part of the ongoing WPS News Monthly Brief Series available through Amazon.

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References (APA)

Permanent Court of Arbitration. (2016). The South China Sea Arbitration (The Republic of the Philippines v. The People’s Republic of China).
United Nations. (1982). United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS).
McQuail, D. (2010). McQuail’s Mass Communication Theory (6th ed.). Sage Publications.