Defense Secretary Gilberto "Gibo" Teodoro anticipates more confrontations between the Philippines and China following the recent navy-to-navy harassment near Bajo de Masinloc (Scarborough Shoal) in the West Philippine Sea (WPS).

"We have to expect more of the same. I mean, alangan naman hindi natin gawin ang katungkulan natin sa ating jurisdiction sa ilalim ng batas. Di pwede yun, sila ba nagdidiktang batas ng mundo, hindi," Teodoro told reporters in an ambush interview in Camp Aguinaldo on Friday.

(I mean, it's not like we can ignore our duties within our jurisdiction under the law. That’s not possible. Are they the ones dictating the laws of the world? No.)

On Thursday, the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) reported that three Chinese vessels had "aggressively and unsafely" engaged a Philippine Navy ship, the BRP Emilio Jacinto (PS35), on 5 May.

The BRP Emilio Jacinto was conducting routine maritime patrols with the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) and the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) when two Jiangkai II-class (Type 054A) Chinese frigates — numbers 554 and 573 — and China Coast Guard vessel 5403 executed high-risk maneuvers against the Philippine warship.

Frigate BN 554 was documented tailing the PS35 at close range, while BN 573 dangerously crossed its bow. Meanwhile, the CCG vessel attempted to block the ship's navigational route.

Teodoro said such confrontations are to be expected as the Philippines asserts its rights in the WPS.

Asked how the government plans to respond, he said, "That is an operational matter."

“Huwag na tayong magsanay na ididiscuss namin ang mga plano namin sa publiko. Hindi na pwede kasi pumipitas ang kalaban diyan. ‘Yan ang isang disiplina na kailangang alamin din ng ating mga kababayan. Katulad din ng huwag kang sasagot ng spam na text o email. Ganyan din dito," he added.

(Let’s not get used to discussing our plans in public. We can’t do that anymore because the enemy picks up on those. That’s one kind of discipline our fellow citizens also need to understand — just like not responding to spam texts or emails. It’s the same principle here.)

Not the first time

Philippine Navy spokesperson for the WPS, Rear Admiral Roy Vincent Trinidad, said the PS35 maintained its course despite the Chinese ships’ harassment.

“May direksyon ka. Alam mo naman yung pupuntahan mo, naka-mark naman yung kung saan ka dadaan. Pag nagbago ka dun, hindi mo alam kung ano ang gagawin ng kabila, baka magbanggaan kayo,” Trinidad told reporters in a phone interview.

(You have a set course. You know where you're headed, and your route is clearly marked. If you suddenly change that, you won’t know how the other side will react — you might end up colliding.)

He noted that Chinese ships got as close as 25 meters to the Philippine vessel. He also recalled a similar encounter two years ago.

“No, this is not the first time. Medyo matagal na na walang ganito. I have to check kung anong barko yun pero hindi ito ang first time na ginawa nila ‘yan sa gray ship. Two years ago, ginawa na rin nila sa atin ito, nagcross ng bow," said Trinidad.

(No, this is not the first time. It's just been a while since something like this happened. I have to check which ship it was, but this isn't the first time they've done that to a gray ship. Two years ago, they did the same thing to us — they crossed our bow.)

The AFP expressed "serious concern" over the incident, while Teodoro reiterated that these tensions are part of a larger, long-term struggle.

“I'm not alarmed, and I'm not surprised. Sinasabi ko na matagal na, pakikibaka ito,” he said.

(I'm saying, this has been our struggle for a longest time.)

“And it is a choice. Do we — left or right? Left. Sinasabi ko kanina, there is a price to pay for freedom. Ngayon, ano ang price? Kung magdesisyon tayo na madali, appease, capitulate. Ngayon, kung tinatawag natin ang sarili natin na Republika at makasarinlan, stand up. Nasa stand up tayo, ang cost nun mangyayari ito. Ang cost naman pag hindi tayo tumayo ay kalimutan na natin yung kinabukasan ng ating mga anak,” he continued.

(So now, what is the price? If we choose the easy way — appease, capitulate — then that’s one path. But if we call ourselves a republic and sovereign, then we must stand up. If we choose to stand up, this is the cost. But the cost of not standing up is forgetting the future of our children)

Gray zone escalation

International Affairs Analyst Dr. Renato de Castro said the use of gray ships — naval vessels — in this confrontation signals a dangerous escalation.

"Ibang bagay na pag nakita mo ang gray ships. Armado iyan, may kakayanan iyang magpaputok at gawin ang tinatawag nating gray zone operations—maging kinetic encounter na iyan. Talagang gagamit na sila ng dahas," he said.

(It’s a different matter when you see gray ships. They are armed, capable of firing, and can engage in what we call gray zone operations — turning into a kinetic encounter. They will really use force.)

“I don’t think na palagi lang iyan maging gray zone eh. Eventually, this would lead to escalation or de-escalation," he added.

De Castro also noted the incident reflects China’s intent to reinforce its claims over Bajo de Masinloc and challenge Philippine sovereignty.

"The mere fact na hinaharass ng China ang ating gray ship, meaning — talagang chinachallenge nila ang sovereign immunity ng isang Philippine Navy warship,” he said.

(The mere fact that China is harassing our gray ship means — they are truly challenging the sovereign immunity of a Philippine Navy warship)

Teodoro condemned the continued incursions by China into Philippine waters.

"It’s obvious which country does not adhere to the rule of law here. It is only China. So, bukod-tangi po sila, valedictorian po sila sa hindi pagsunod ng rule of law," he remarked.

"Kung may ginawang tama yang bansa na yan—hindi bansa, baguhin ko—yung partido na nangangasiwa sa kanila. Ngayon, sa latest na mga nangyayari, hindi disappointed, expected yun. I mean, kaya kailangang paghandahan itong mga ito at tutulan," he added.

(If that country did something right — no, let me change that — if the party that governs them did something right. Now, with the latest events happening, I'm not disappointed, that was expected. I mean, that's why these things need to be prepared for and opposed)

Despite the 2016 Hague arbitral ruling invalidating China’s expansive claims in the South China Sea, Beijing continues to assert control, encroaching on the Philippines' exclusive economic zone.