Manila, Philippines – Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) spokesperson for the West Philippine Sea (WPS), Commodore Jay Tarriela, said supporting China’s claims while undermining the Philippines claims is a “treason”.
According to Tarriela, the ongoing debate among elected officials in the WPS stems from the alleged interest of the People’s Republic of China (PRC). This includes direct verbal attacks and statements issued by the Chinese Embassy on social media.
The issue recently sparked a heated exchange between Senator Rodante Marcoleta and Senator Kiko Pangilinan regarding the Philippines’ 200-nautical-mile Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ), as established by the 2016 Arbitral Ruling.
Marcoleta claimed there are no specific computation or coordinates defining the WPS.
Pangilinan however, emphasized that the 2016 Arbitral Award grants the Philippines rights over more than 500,000 square kilometers in the South China Sea.
Tarriela asserted that the situation in the South China Sea will not subside if China continues its propaganda and bullying tactics. In a recent post, he maintained that the PCG has nothing to explain and only release truths, not fabrications.
Everything is documentation, not exaggeration,” Tarriela stated, referring to the “receipts” evidence provided by the Philippine government.
Meanwhile, the Chinese Embassy claimed that it was the Philippines’ repeated infringements and provocations in attempt to advance its illegal claims unilaterally that caused the tensions in the South China Sea in recent years.
China added was forced to take necessary measures in accordance with law to safeguard its lawful rights and interests.
The Embassy also highlighted the increase in Philippine military activity, noting that the country conducted 29 joint military drills between 2024 and 2025.