Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) spokesperson Commodore Jay Tarriela, on Wednesday, December 31, strongly criticized Senator Robin Padilla’s recent remarks on the West Philippine Sea (WPS), calling them “futile” and counterproductive to the protection of Filipino fishermen and national sovereignty.
Earlier, Padilla stated that confrontation with China yields no benefits for the Philippines and that continued contestation over the WPS is pointless.
Tarriela clarified that the Philippines has never initiated nor escalated tensions in the WPS, contrary to the implications in the senator’s statement. He emphasized that the government continues to pursue diplomatic avenues even as it maintains a firm presence in Philippine waters.
“Our presence in these waters is not the cause of escalating tensions. We are there to prevent China from normalizing its illegal presence in the WPS while, at the same time, providing safety and security to our ordinary fishermen,” Tarriela said.
Padilla called for restraint and improved relations with Beijing, in which the senator said the country has nothing to gain from “pakikipag-away” or fighting with China over the disputed waters. While Padilla said he was not advocating cowardice and instead urged engagement and business cooperation, emphasizing restraint and improved relations with Beijing.
“Sana po lumamig na ang ulo natin sa usapin ng pakikipag-paligsahan sa Tsina. Sana magkaroon din ng puwang sa ating administrasyon na makipag-usap… Sana po dumating ang panahon na magising na tayo na wala po tayong makukuha sa pakikipag-away," Padilla said.
"Pero hindi ko po sinasabi na tayo ay magpakaduwag diyan. Ang sinasabi ko po ay makipag negosyo," he added.
However, Tarriela warned that such statements risk downplaying the real and ongoing threats faced by Filipinos at sea.
“The good senator must remember: standing firm is not provocation; it is patriotism and it is our obligation for the next generation of Filipinos,” Tarriela said.
He noted that Padilla’s remarks undermine the plight of Filipino fishermen, some of whom were injured and had their boats damaged just weeks ago after being hit by China Coast Guard water cannons near Escoda Shoal. These incidents, Tarriela said, underscore the reality that Chinese aggression continues despite Manila’s sustained diplomatic efforts.
He also described the senator’s position as a disservice to PCG personnel who regularly patrol the WPS under China’s bullying and dangerous conditions.
As a member of the Senate, Tarriela added, Padilla should recognize that the Philippines has consistently been on the receiving end of China’s “barbaric, illegal, coercive, aggressive, and deceptive actions,” which violate the 2016 Arbitral Award and international law. The landmark ruling invalidated China’s sweeping “nine-dash line” claim, a decision Beijing continues to reject.
While Padilla emphasized the importance of dialogue, Tarriela pointed out that the Marcos administration has actively pursued diplomacy.
He added that President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. has repeatedly stressed the need to keep communication channels open with Beijing, while also making clear that the WPS dispute does not define the entirety of Philippines–China relations. Despite maritime tensions, bilateral trade remains robust, with China serving as the Philippines’ top import partner and a major export destination.
On issues raised about territorial seas and exclusive economic zones (EEZ), Tarriela said the Philippine government fully understands the distinctions under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS). “It is only China that refuses to accept the invalidity of its "nine-dash line," as ruled by the 2016 Arbitral Award,” he said.
Tarriela also addressed Padilla’s expressed hopes that Filipino fishermen could fish freely in the WPS, that PCG vessels would no longer face water cannon attacks, and that resources such as oil and gas in Recto Bank could be developed.
“Suggesting that the Philippines should halt its defense of rights reveals a misunderstanding: we are not "fighting" in an offensive sense but steadfastly upholding sovereign rights against bullying. It is our fishermen who truly "fight" daily—not with arms, but by pursuing their livelihood in the WPS which is now endangered daily by China’s maritime forces," Tarriela stressed.
