Philippines, China trade claims over West Philippine Sea operations

Europe-Asia, International

INTERNATIONAL — 14 April 2026 (NPA) — The Philippine Coast Guard and China’s Foreign Ministry have issued conflicting statements regarding recent activities in the disputed West Philippine Sea.

Philippine Coast Guard spokesperson Jay Tarriela rejected remarks by Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Guo Jiakun, insisting that cyanide testing in the area was conducted by the National Bureau of Investigation using established forensic protocols. Tarriela said the results, based on samples recovered from vessels, were credible and transparent.

He further noted that Ayungin Shoal lies within the Philippines’ Exclusive Economic Zone, citing the 2016 Arbitral Award under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS). According to Tarriela, the Philippines has sovereign rights to protect marine resources and enforce its laws in those waters.

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Tarriela also pointed to environmental damage in the region, attributing it to large-scale reclamation and construction activities by China. He said the Philippines’ presence at Ayungin Shoal, maintained by the grounded BRP Sierra Madre, was defensive, while alleging that Chinese actions posed risks to the marine ecosystem.

China has consistently asserted sovereignty over much of the South China Sea, including areas claimed by the Philippines. The dispute remains one of the most contentious issues in regional maritime security, with both sides continuing to defend their positions under international law.