By WPS News Staff

Over the past week, the West Philippine Sea (WPS) has witnessed heightened tensions as incidents involving Chinese vessels and Philippine maritime operations underscore ongoing territorial disputes. The Philippines maintains its sovereignty over the region, part of its exclusive economic zone (EEZ), while China asserts expansive claims, rejecting a 2016 Hague ruling favoring Manila (Newsweek, 2025).

On June 7, local fisherfolk in Palawan raised alarms when a Chinese fishing vessel ran aground near Pag-asa (Thitu) Island in the Kalayaan Island Group during stormy weather. The vessel, suspected to be part of China’s maritime militia, extricated itself within hours, according to the Philippine Navy (ABS-CBN News, 2025). The Navy urged China to vacate Philippine maritime zones, citing the incident as evidence of unauthorized presence (Manila Bulletin, 2025a). This event sparked concerns among residents, highlighting the persistent challenge of Chinese activities in contested waters.

On June 6, the Philippine Army conducted maritime patrols and ground operations on Likas Island, the second-largest in the Kalayaan Island Group, to assert sovereignty. The operation, reported by The Philippine Star (2025), aimed to reinforce Manila’s control over its outposts amid Beijing’s growing assertiveness. Earlier, from June 3 to 7, the Philippine Navy’s BRP Andres Bonifacio led a media-embedded patrol, including a rare visit to Likas Island. During this mission, the vessel challenged a People’s Liberation Army-Navy frigate near Panata Island, receiving a response after issuing a radio warning (Rappler, 2025).

Meanwhile, international naval movements intensified regional dynamics. On June 8, satellite imagery revealed the U.S. aircraft carrier USS Nimitz operating 167 miles northeast of Scarborough Shoal, a flashpoint under Chinese control since 2012. The deployment, alongside USS George Washington in the western Pacific, signals Washington’s commitment to counter China’s naval expansion (Newsweek, 2025a). Concurrently, China deployed its aircraft carrier Shandong and accompanying vessels in the Philippine Sea, approximately 340 miles southeast of Japan’s Miyako Island, raising concerns about Beijing’s military reach (Newsweek, 2025b).

Diplomatic efforts paralleled these maritime maneuvers. On June 11, Philippine and U.S. officials pledged to deepen defense ties to address China’s “destabilizing” actions in the South China Sea. The commitment, reported by Philstar (2025), reflects Manila’s strategy to bolster alliances amid escalating tensions. The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) also reported monitoring 41 Chinese vessels in the WPS throughout May, underscoring the scale of Beijing’s presence (Inquirer, 2025).

These events highlight the Philippines’ multifaceted approach—combining military patrols, international partnerships, and public transparency—to defend its rights in the WPS. However, China’s persistent activities, including maritime militia operations and naval deployments, pose ongoing challenges. As Manila strengthens its outposts and alliances, the region remains a focal point of geopolitical rivalry, with implications for Indo-Pacific stability.

References

ABS-CBN News. (2025, June 8). Chinese vessel runs aground near Pag-asa Island. https://t.co/dCsghQVCwr

Inquirer. (2025, June 11). 41 Chinese vessels seen in West Philippine Sea in May. https://www.inquirer.net

Manila Bulletin. (2025a, June 10). Navy urges China to leave PH maritime zones. https://t.co/wLGdl7OsKa

Newsweek. (2025a, June 11). US deploys two aircraft carriers in Pacific rivalry with China. https://www.newsweek.com

Newsweek. (2025b, June 11). China challenges US sea power with two aircraft carriers. https://www.newsweek.com

Philstar. (2025, June 11). Philippines, US pledge deeper ties on West Philippine Sea issues. https://www.philstar.com

Rappler. (2025, June 6). PH Navy ship challenges China during West Philippine Sea patrol. https://www.rappler.com

The Philippine Star. (2025, June 6). Army conducts patrols on Likas Island. https://t.co/51nZIlAQfP

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