Philippines plans peaceful strategy after coastguard collision with China

The Philippines has committed to a diplomatic approach in response to recent maritime tensions with China, following a ship collision near Sabina Shoal that damaged Philippine coastguard vessels.

Following a recent ship collision with China, the Philippines has committed to pursuing a diplomatic resolution rather than military action. On August 19, the National Maritime Council announced that Manila will explore new agreements to manage air and sea encounters with Beijing in the contested South China Sea.

Alexander Lopez, the newly appointed presidential palace spokesman for the council, emphasized the importance of a peaceful approach. “Beyond a diplomatic or peaceful approach, we risk escalating the situation to kinetic [military] actions, which would not serve the interests of our country, China, or the region,” Lopez said in his first press briefing. This statement followed a collision early Monday that damaged two Philippine coastguard vessels near Sabina Shoal, located within the Philippine exclusive economic zone.

The collision, which resulted in damage to Philippine vessels but no injuries, has been the subject of mutual accusations between Manila and Beijing. The Philippine military blames the incident on “dangerous and illegal manoeuvres” by the Chinese coastguard. Lopez affirmed that the government is adhering to President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s directive to resolve disputes through diplomacy rather than conflict.

The government plans to gather evidence from the incident for potential diplomatic protests and is considering extending current arrangements for military resupply missions to the BRP Sierra Madre, a dilapidated ship stationed on Second Thomas Shoal. The idea of negotiating broader agreements with China to cover more areas in the West Philippine Sea is also under review.

The Philippines continues to assert its rights and protect its maritime zones amidst China’s expansive claims, which cover 90 percent of the Philippines’ maritime territory according to the so-called nine-dash line. The 2016 arbitral tribunal ruling at The Hague invalidated this claim under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea.

Further international support has emerged for the Philippines. Countries including Japan, the US, Germany, France, New Zealand, and Australia have voiced concern over the recent incidents. The Japanese embassy condemned the aggressive conduct and affirmed support for a rules-based order. The US State Department reiterated its commitment to defending the Philippines under the 1951 Mutual Defence Treaty.

Lopez’s comments reflect a broader governmental push for a bilateral agreement with China to manage territorial disputes and air encounters. National Security Council assistant director general Jonathan Malaya has suggested creating guidelines for air interactions following a recent flare incident involving a Chinese air force plane.

As the situation evolves, the Philippines remains focused on diplomatic solutions to navigate its complex maritime disputes while maintaining international support for its position.