THERE is a strange silence that surrounds the West Philippine Sea issue, especially among many Filipinos who live far from its shores. Some say, “Wala man kami dya sa Palawan,” or “Di naman kami mangingisda.”
But if there is anything our recent history — and hard-earned victories — have taught us, it is this: the West Philippine Sea is not just a fisherfolk issue, a Navy issue, or even a President’s issue. It is everyone’s issue. And it is not just about territory — it is about dignity, food security, education, national identity, and the kind of future we want to leave behind for our children.
When my friends ask me why they should care about the West Philippine Sea (WPS), I flip the question back: “Do you care about what you eat? Your internet bill? Your school fees? Your family’s health?” Because the fish we eat, the energy we import, the data we transmit, and the livelihoods we protect are all tied to those contested waters.
The WPS covers nearly a third of our country’s Exclusive Economic Zone, holding a treasure trove of marine resources, oil, natural gas, and rare biodiversity. According to the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources, nearly 324,312 metric tons of fish were sourced from it in 2020 alone. When foreign ships scare off our fisherfolk or block our access, that affects our food supply — and the prices we pay in markets, wherever we live.
But beyond economics, the WPS is a test of our collective backbone. In 2016, we won a monumental legal victory against China at the Hague-based Permanent Court of Arbitration. The ruling was clear: China’s expansive “nine-dash line” claim has no legal basis.
Just this April 2025, Google Maps began labeling the area as the “West Philippine Sea” —a move welcomed by the National Maritime Council as a small but powerful win. For them, it is more than a name — it is a global nod to our legal and moral claim. It strengthens our identity, affirms our rights, and tells the world — and our own people — that this sea is ours, and it matters.
On its ninth anniversary this July 12, the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA0 and Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) stood together to honor the ruling that brought justice to our shores. It’s not just history — it’s our present guide in defending what’s rightfully ours. As DFA puts it, it is a “rules-based anchor” in protecting our sovereignty and a beacon for other nations facing similar disputes.
General Romeo Brawner, AFP Chief of Staff, echoed this sentiment, calling the ruling not just a legal win but a truth the world acknowledged — that these waters feed our people, protect our coasts, and carry our legacy.
“There is no compromise when it comes to our sovereignty,” he said. It is not just a military mission; it is a national one, shared by every Filipino.
But victory on paper means nothing if we do not defend it with policy, with diplomacy, and most crucially — with public vigilance. That is where ordinary Filipinos come in. Because every apathetic shrug chips away at our moral claim. Every repost of misinformation from foreign propaganda machines muddies the waters of truth. And every child who grows up thinking this issue does not concern them is one less voice in our national defense. (To be continued)/PN
