West Philippine Sea: Two Countries on Dispute

Essay by Precious Mikaella Baylon

West Philippine Sea is located on the western part of the Philippine archipelago. This sea
is 370 kilometers far away from the Philippine shore. This sea territory is vital for the country’s,
Philippines, economy, and environment as it adds the employment rate in the country. Filipino
fishers can provide their everyday needs owing to the fact that they are allowed to make a living
with the use of the sea. Ayungin shoal and Scarborough shoal are different shoals but is believed
to be under the ownership of the Philippines and China has continued to claim its right to the
said sea territory. Ayungin shoal is located to the Spratly Islands which is 500km away from
mainland Palawan (Janer et al., 2023), while inside the exclusive economic zone of the
Philippines is where Scarborough shoal can be found. Based on their locations, the mentioned
shoals are under the authority of the Philippine country. However, China believes that those sea
territories are under their country which is why they continue to claim their ‘ownership’ and set
up barriers on the sea.

The current situation regarding the West Philippine Sea is chaotic. Two countries,
Philippines and China, are in disagreement in relation of the ownership of the said area. The
dispute started in April 2012 and has continued up until now. The latest news about this issue is
that China has once again crossed the borders and was found by Filipino Navy’s. It is reported
that China has claimed that Ayungin Shoal has never been a part or owned by the Philippines
territory which caused another conflict between the two countries (Abarca, 2023, October). Last
month, September, Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) removes the rope barrier which was set up
by the China Coast; this action caused Wang Wenbin, a Chinese Foreign Minister
spokesperson, to say to the Philippines to not stir up trouble (Abarca, 2023, September). They
claimed that a Philippine vessel has ‘intruded’ one of their territories, which is the Scarborough
Shoal. Just this August, four countries including Philippines has joined India to reject China’s
new map; as this new map has claimed some of the territories of the five countries such as
Arunachal Pradesh of India, however, China’s claim was labeled as ‘no basis’ by the external
affairs ministry.

China’s aggressiveness and assert ownership to the sea territory under West Philippine Sea can
be rejected through court and legal ways. There has been a situation like this on the year 2016
where China has nine dash-line where it claims South China Sea along with some territories
including one see area of the Philippines. Philippines won the arbitrary case that year which
China refused to acknowledge. In some way, Philippines could also seek help from other
countries to refuse China’s movement regarding the West Philippine Sea.

If this situation is to be explained to an elementary grader, a detailed description of importance

of the West Philippine Sea should be prioritized. It is necessary to inform them first why is it vital
for Philippines to continue refusing China’s claim over the country’s territory. The area that the
two countries are fighting for are important for the Philippines economy which is why it is needed
to be emphasized when explained to an elementary grader. Next, the situation where China
claims territories that are not theirs in the first place should be added and to let the kids
understand more about this situation, examples are necessary which is why the situation that
happened between India and China could be brought up too. Lastly, share what is my insight in
this situation; on how our country can refuse those claims and how important for us to solve this
situation without being as aggressive as the China is because any wrong move can lead to a
bigger problem which can lead to war.

References:
Abarca, C. (2023, September 26). Don’t ‘stir up trouble’, China urges PH after PCG removes
shoal barrier. inquirerdotnet.
https://globalnation.inquirer.net/219929/dont-stir-up-trouble-china-urges-ph-after-pcg-
removes-shoal-barrier
Abarca, C. (2023, October 09). China claims Ayungin Shoal has never been part of PH.
inquirerdotnet.
https://globalnation.inquirer.net/220461/china-claims-ayungin-shoal-has-never-been-
part-of-ph-territory
Janer, D.F.S., Gabuyo, M.R.P., Carrillo, A.D.V., Co, P.E.Y., del Rosario, A.L.B., Morata, M.J.S.,
Dayao, J.B., de Chavez, M.M., Bringas,D.A.B., Villanoy, C.L., & Siringan, F.P. (2023,
February). Development of Pag-asa Reefs, West Philippine Sea: Role of Relative Sea
Level Change and Wave Exposure. Philippine Journal of Science. 152(1). 291-306.
https://climate-science.press/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/development_of_Pag-
asa_reefs_West_Phil_Sea_.pdf