The National Maritime Council (NMC) is currently exploring legal options to push through a new arbitration case against China over its increasing illegal activities in the country's exclusive economic zone in the West Philippine Sea (WPS).

In a press conference in Manila on Wednesday, Department of Justice Senior State Counsel, Atty. Fretti Ganchoon, noted that the Department of Justice (DOJ) is already in discussions with other government agencies in the NMC regarding the issue.

“On the part of the Philippines, the decision is not just a DOJ decision; it is an inter-agency decision. We have to wait and respect the decision-making process of the executive branch. It’s not just the decision of one department,” she said.

Ganchoon echoed Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla's earlier statement that the Philippines is considering filing an international case against China for the alleged destruction of the marine environment in the WPS.

"In respect to the progress, it is still under study. Everything is still under study,” she noted.

Meanwhile, NMC spokesperson Undersecretary Alexander Lopez said the government aims to ensure that the second international case against Beijing is “foolproof.”

He added that the case will be filed once all necessary evidence requirements are met.

“If ever, we will file a case, whatever perspective it will be, we will make sure it will be foolproof. Hindi yung magfafile tayo, but we’re not prepared or ready with all the information. Pag meron na tayong lahat non and foolproof na, then we will file whatever it is—environmental, etc.,” Lopez told reporters.

He stressed the government is currently undergoing a formal process for handling the potential case against China.

According to Lopez, the DOJ will lead the filing of the arbitration case, but any actions or recommendations must first be reviewed and evaluated by the NMC.

“We will handle that through the DOJ and it will be coursed through the NMC for further vetting or considerations. That is how the process works,” he said.

In 2012, Manila launched an arbitration case challenging Beijing’s sweeping claims over nearly the entire South China Sea.

In 2016, the Permanent Court of Arbitration in The Hague ruled in favor of the Philippines, invalidating China’s nine-dash line claims. Despite this, Beijing has refused to recognize the ruling.

On the other hand, the NMC reported that the Philippines conducted 183 surface operations, 82 aerial operations, and 269 intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) operations as part of its ongoing vigilance in its territorial waters.

Between January and March, 26 Philippine vessels and 14 aircraft were deployed to carry out maritime operations in the WPS.

These maritime assets are being operated by the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG), and the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR).

Lopez said these deployments demonstrate the country's efforts to "adequately cover the West Philippine Sea."

“Despite our meager resources, we have efficiently and effectively utilized them in order for us to cover a big amount of space. Ito ang tinatawag nating (This [is] what we call) strategic presence in the West Philippine Sea,” he said.

The NMC also reported that the AFP and PCG carried out three resupply missions to the BRP Sierra Madre in Ayungin Shoal during the same period.

Meanwhile, the BFAR conducted eight humanitarian resupply missions for Filipino fishermen.

The government also monitored more than 270 “illegal, coercive, aggressive, and deceptive” actions by China during the first quarter of the year. In response, the Philippines has filed 21 diplomatic protests against China.

These actions included dangerous maneuvers, radio challenges, shadowing, blocking, and driving away Philippine vessels, as well as spreading disinformation.