To counter China’s increasing aggression in the West Philippine Sea (WPS), the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) has launched four initiatives to protect the nation’s sovereign rights, uphold freedom of navigation, maintain a rules-based international order, and secure the cognitive and cyber domains.
The Philippines maintains an active presence in the WPS, leveraging Allies and Partners and like-minded nations, launching a transparency initiative, and employing a whole-of-nation strategy to combat the Chinese Communist Party’s (CCP) illegal, coercive, aggressive and deceptive (ICAD) activities.
Those activities include shadowing, ramming, and directing lasers and water cannons at vessels operating lawfully, as well as swarming tactics aimed at intimidating the Philippines and preventing us from asserting our sovereignty and rights in the area. A 2016 ruling by an international tribunal affirmed the Philippines’ rights to its exclusive economic zone (EEZ) and the resources contained within it and rejected unequivocally China’s territorial claims in the South China Sea.
Four Initiatives
First, while we have limited sea and air assets, we maintain an active presence in the area, while advocating and practicing maximum tolerance, despite the CCP’s provocations in the WPS, which is the Philippines’ name for the portion of the South China Sea within its EEZ.
Second, we persistently leverage Allies and Partners and like-minded nations through military exercises and maritime cooperative activities, bilaterally and multilaterally.
Third, the Philippines advances its transparency initiative by drumbeating the truth to the world and exposing China’s lies, false claims and malign narratives. We maximize all messaging platforms, such as social media, international forums and mainstream media.
Fourth, the Philippines adopted a whole-of-nation approach to protect itself from China’s ICAD tactics and malign United Front Work Department (UFWD) efforts, rallying not only all government agencies but also nongovernment organizations and civil society. This reflects the fact that countering China’s aggression and expansionism cannot be addressed by military solutions alone.
The CCP persistently conducts political warfare by using its UFWD operations to fraudulently acquire Philippine identification cards and other documents, exploit special visas, establish partial control of Philippine energy and telecommunication infrastructure, disseminate disinformation via local media and influencers, and co-opt Philippine-Chinese communities.
China’s UFWD activities also include espionage, corruption of regulatory and law enforcement bodies, disruption of social cohesion, economic sabotage, sponsoring political candidates, and censorship of WPS issues.
Through our four-pronged initiative, the Philippines’ position in the WPS has gained traction with domestic and international audiences, portraying the AFP as a credible source of information and fostering strong and sustained support. This trust is vital, as it empowers our nation to stand united in the protection of our sovereign rights and the security of our future.
Our efforts in the WPS are embodied in our mantra: “Our Sea, Our Right, Our Heritage, and Our Future.” This captures the essence of our commitment to safeguard our future as we continue to uphold and fight for the common good.
CCP Aggression
Recently, China has aggressively militarized artificial islands it built in the WPS that violate international norms and counter established agreements, including the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea. These actions undermine the rights of claimants in the area, restrict freedom of navigation and destroy the natural ecosystem.
For example, in August 2025, a People’s Liberation Army Navy ship and a China Coast Guard vessel collided as a result of their malicious actions directed at a Philippine Coast Guard vessel legally patrolling near Scarborough Shoal. The Philippine Coast Guard boat narrowly evaded the attack. However, the incident underscored the dangers and risk posed by China’s recklessness.
The CCP also consistently combines aggression with disinformation. In another recent incident, after a Chinese vessel rammed boats from the Philippine Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources, the CCP immediately disseminated fake news accusing Philippine ships of harassing Chinese fishermen.
Calling for Cooperation
Our constant and mutual engagements, regionally and internationally, are vital in amplifying the voices of all nations, regardless of size. The Philippines is not in the business of instigating wars. Our ambition is to provide a peaceful and prosperous life for every Filipino.
It is against this backdrop that we call on the collective efforts of all nations to assert the rights and sovereignty of smaller nations against bullying that undermines justice and fairness.
We also call on our collective efforts to condemn China’s blatant disregard of international law and to preserve freedom of navigation and safety in the sea.
And finally, we call on you to stand and work together to uphold the common principles of equity, justice and the rule of law.
Maj. Gen. Elmer B. Suderio is the AFP’s deputy chief of staff for operations. This article is adapted from his presentation, “AFP’s Strategic Response to Evolving Security Landscape,” at the United States Indo-Pacific Command in Hawaii in October 2025.