Marilyn Cahatol

This photo was taken during an aerial patrol by the AFP Western Command in the West Philippine Sea on November 23, 2022.  It shows 12 Chinese fishing vessels around the eastern part of Sabina Shoal. Similar ships were also discovered on the western part of the shoal. Chinese vessels were similarly spotted in the same area on December 5. Maj. Cherryl Tindog, AFP Western Command/handout

Article (news)

Carlos Trazo

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/176751095399420221123-south-china-sea-HOjpg.jpg" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" width="960" alt="This photo was taken during an aerial patrol by the AFP Western Command in the West Philippine Sea on November 23, 2022.  It shows 12 Chinese fishing vessels around the eastern part of Sabina Shoal. Similar ships were also discovered on the western part of the shoal. Chinese vessels were similarly spotted in the same area on December 5. Maj. Cherryl Tindog, AFP Western Command/handout "/><span class="fr-inner" style="text-align:left">This photo was taken during an aerial patrol by the AFP Western Command in the West Philippine Sea on November 23, 2022.  It shows 12 Chinese fishing vessels around the eastern part of Sabina Shoal. Similar ships were also discovered on the western part of the shoal. Chinese vessels were similarly spotted in the same area on December 5.<em> Maj. Cherryl Tindog, AFP Western Command/handout </em></span></span></span></div><p>MANILA — Sen. Francis “Kiko” Pangilinan thanked the Chinese Embassy in Manila for what he said was an “admission” that the Philippines has a rightful claim in the West Philippine Sea, while firmly rejecting Beijing’s sweeping assertion over nearly the entire South China Sea.</p><p>“Thank you China Embassy for admitting the Philippines does have a rightful claim. Yes we do. No, you do not,” Pangilinan said, underscoring that Manila’s position is backed by international law and the 2016 arbitral ruling that Beijing has continued to reject.</p><p>“The legal claim of the Philippines has been upheld by the International Tribunal in Hague. Your bogus claim, rejected by the Tribunal, is based solely on your government’s say so. Might doesn’t make China right.”</p><p>The senator’s latest remarks came after he earlier condemned China’s military drills around Taiwan, which he said sparked ill will across the region.</p><p>“It is the season of goodwill, but China’s two-day military drills encircling Taiwan have brought ill will all around—to the Taiwan people, to Filipinos working, living, and spending the holidays there, and to peoples across East and Southeast Asia,” Pangilinan said.</p><p>He warned that peace cannot be built on threats or intimidation.</p><p>“Peace on earth can only be built on our individual and collective right to self-determination, free from bullying or annexation by any power—whether Chinese or American,” he added.</p><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2025/12/13/3-pinoy-fishermen-sustain-injuries-after-harassment-from-chinese-vessels-pcg-1435">3 Filipino fishermen injured in Chinese ships&#x27; water cannon attack</a></div><p>Pangilinan stressed that global cooperation, not military might, should define the future.</p><p>“We all share this one planet, and our shared future depends not on missiles nor alliances of convenience, but on our individual and collective cooperation for social justice, climate action, and democratic rights.”</p><p>In a separate statement directed at the Chinese Embassy, Pangilinan reiterated his respect for the &#x27;One China Policy&#x27; — the Philippines has formal diplomatic relations with the People&#x27;s Republic of China but not Taiwan, the Republic ofChina — but demanded reciprocity from Beijing.</p><p>“In return, China should respect the Philippines’ 500,000 square kilometers of our EEZ under the [UN Convention on the Law of the Sea] by abandoning their ridiculous and illegal claim of 90 percent of the West Philippine/South China Sea,” he said. </p><p>“We respect China’s view that Taiwan is part of China but China should respect our position that the Philippines’ EEZ is not part of China and, for that matter, we are not and will never be a province of China. We respect the Chinese people but we will never bow down to Xi Jinping’s illegal policy claims in the region. Never.”</p><p>He also reminded Beijing of the Philippines’ history of asserting sovereignty, citing the Senate’s rejection of the RP-US Bases Treaty in 1991. “We said no to the world’s only superpower then in upholding our sovereignty. Whether the US or China, no world superpower can intimidate us,” Pangilinan declared.</p><p>The Chinese Embassy responded by insisting that both nations have overlapping maritime claims.</p><p>“The Philippines has the right to claim its EEZ based on Luzon, Palawan and Mindoro, etc. China also has the right to claim its EEZ based on Nansha Qundao and Zhongsha Qundao,” the embassy said, adding parties in the dispute should “manage differences” and avoid actions that could escalate tensions.</p><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2025/12/9/afp-20-china-ships-monitored-in-west-ph-sea-in-first-week-of-december-1424">AFP: 20 Chinese coast guard, naval ships monitored in West Philippine Sea in first week of December</a></div><div><br/></div><div><strong>RELATED VIDEO:</strong></div><div style="text-align:center"><iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/cZ9wJZdFUcw?si=1ryVBDgqjTkYPBkf" title="YouTube video player" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen=""></iframe><br/></div>

<p>Senator Francis “Kiko” Pangilinan thanked the Chinese Embassy in Manila for what he described as its “admission” that the Philippines has a rightful claim in the West Philippine Sea, while firmly rejecting Beijing’s sweeping assertion over nearly the entire South China Sea.</p>

Senator Francis “Kiko” Pangilinan thanked the Chinese Embassy in Manila for what he described as its “admission” that the Philippines has a rightful claim in the West Philippine Sea, while firmly rejecting Beijing’s sweeping assertion over nearly the entire South China Sea.

Kiko Pangilinan thanks Chinese Embassy for recognizing PH claim on West PH Sea; reiterates Hague ruling

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Kiko Pangilinan thanks Chinese Embassy for recognizing PH claim on West PH Sea; reiterates Hague ruling

Carlos Trazo,

ABS-CBN News

Published January 04, 2026 03:38 PM PHT

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Kiko Pangilinan

West Philippine Sea

China

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