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A China Coast Guard vessel fires water cannon at a Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) ship, August 11, 2025 near the Bajo de Masinloc or Scarborough Shoal. Bianca Dava, ABS-CBN News

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WEST PH SEA

Bianca Dava

ABS-CBN News

<div><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width:960px;display:block" width="960"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/176837438866820250812-bajo-de-masinloc-wps-pcg-BD921.jpg" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" width="960"/><span class="fr-inner" style="text-align:left">A China Coast Guard vessel fires water cannon at a Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) ship, August 11, 2025 near the Bajo de Masinloc or Scarborough Shoal. B<em>ianca Dava, ABS-CBN News/File</em></span></span></span></div><p>MANILA — The National Maritime Council (NMC) on Wednesday pushed back against the Chinese Embassy in Manila’s statements on the situation in the West Philippine Sea rejecting Beijing’s claims as legally unfounded and misleading.</p><p>The response came after Chinese Embassy Deputy Spokesperson Guo Wei issued a statement on Monday, January 12, insisting that China’s actions in the said waters are lawful.</p><p>In a televised interview, NMC spokesperson Undersecretary Alexander Lopez said China’s accusations have no basis in international law, stressing that it is Beijing’s maritime forces that continue to engage in illegal, coercive, aggressive and deceptive (ICAD) actions at sea.</p><p>“Walang basehang legal sa international law ang akusasyon ng China. Bagkus pa, sila ang gumagamit ng kanilang maritime forces at gumagawa ng mga illegal na pamamaraan,” Lopez said.</p><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2026/1/8/afp-stands-by-facts-in-west-philippine-sea-as-embassy-plays-down-china-s-actions-1158">AFP stands by facts in West Philippine Sea as embassy plays down China&#x27;s actions</a></div><p>He cited incidents such as water cannoning of Filipino fishers, the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG), and the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR), as well as close and dangerous encounters at sea and in the air.</p><p>He added that China has engaged in shadowing, blocking, ramming, pointing military-grade laser devices, and spreading disinformation, yet portrays itself as a victim.</p><p>“[Ang China ay] nagpapakalat ng maling impormasyon upang malinlang ang publiko, at iguhit ang China bilang ang biktima at ang Pilipinas ang maysala,” Lopez said.</p><p>“Sa mga ginagawa nilang ito, sino ba ang gumagawa ng tinatawag nilang provocations?” the official asked.</p><div> </div><div><strong>MARITIME ZONES</strong></div><div> </div><p>Lopez also dismissed China’s argument that the term “maritime zones” does not exist under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), calling the claim misleading.</p><p>“Misleading iyon. Tama na walang sinasabi doon na maritime zones, pero ang nakalagay sa UNCLOS ay sinabi niya ano ang maritime areas doon. Ang ginagamit natin ay maritime zones, at karaniwang ginagamit ito ng academia,” Lopez explained.</p><p>“Maritime areas—nandoon ang territorial sea, contiguous zone, exclusive economic zone (EEZ), extended continental shelf. Ito ang bumubuo ng maritime zones. Kaya misleading ang sinasabi ng Embahada ng China. Mali ang kanilang pananaw,” he added.</p><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2026/1/13/pcg-moves-to-protect-filipino-boat-harassed-by-china-near-scarborough-1204">PCG moves to protect Filipino boat &#x27;harassed&#x27; by China ships near Scarborough Shoal</a></div><div> </div><div><strong>‘HIGH GROUND’</strong></div><div> </div><p>Lopez said the NMC would no longer engage in point-by-point rebuttals of long-standing Chinese arguments, noting these have already been addressed in the past.</p><p>“No need to come up with rebuttals anymore. Rather, we want to come up with a high ground. We will discuss issues and not personalities,” the official stressed.</p><p>He also criticized China’s attempts to discredit Philippine officials and spokespersons.</p><p>“Once you attack certain personalities, ibig sabihin lang nun, nwawalan kayo ng legal arguments kaya tao na ang binabanatan ninyo,” Lopez said.</p><div> </div><div><strong>&#x27;OPEN TO DIALOGUE BUT FIRM ON NATIONAL INTERESTS&#x27;</strong></div><div> </div><p>Despite the heated exchange with the Chinese Embassy, the NMC reiterated that Manila remains open to dialogue with Beijing, but emphasized that it should not come at the expense of national sovereignty and maritime rights.</p><p>“Our communication lines remain open. Bukas tayo sa dayalogo at diplomasya, pero dapat maging malinaw tayo na ang pakikipagdayalogo ay hindi pasguko sa ating paninindigan, soberanya, Karapatan at hurisdiksyon sa ating karagatan,” Lopez said.</p><p>“Ang ating national interest ang mangingibabaw sa prosesong ito,” he continued.</p><p>Tensions continue as China claims almost the entire South China Sea, including the West Philippine Sea.</p><p>The claims were invalidated by the 2016 arbitral award, a decision that Beijing does not recognize.</p><div><br/></div><div><strong>RELATED VIDEO</strong></div><div><strong><span class="fr-video fr-deletable fr-fvc fr-dvb fr-draggable" contenteditable="false" draggable="true"><iframe width="640" height="360" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/XnANVQFgsS4?&amp;t=1s&amp;wmode=opaque&amp;rel=0" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen="" class="fr-draggable"></iframe></span></strong><br/></div>

<p>The National Maritime Council pushed back against the Chinese Embassy in Manila’s latest statement on the situation in the West Philippine Sea, rejecting Beijing’s claims as legally unfounded and misleading.</p>

The National Maritime Council pushed back against the Chinese Embassy in Manila’s latest statement on the situation in the West Philippine Sea, rejecting Beijing’s claims as legally unfounded and misleading.

China's accusations misleading, lack legal basis — National Maritime Council

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China's accusations misleading, lack legal basis — National Maritime Council

Bianca Dava,

ABS-CBN News

Published Jan 14, 2026 03:49 PM PHT

Read More:

West Philippine Sea

China

Chinese Embassy

National Maritime Council

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