Community training is first line of defense against China aggression

Global allies of the country said local communities should be taught as the first line of defense against China’s continuous aggression in the contested waters.

At the Stratbase Institute’s “Eyes on the Sea: Community-Based Maritime Monitoring and Reporting in the West Philippine Sea” forum on Monday, key national, security, and diplomatic leaders underscored the scale of threats facing Filipino fisherfolk and reaffirmed strong public support for defending the country’s maritime rights.

Presidential Assistant for Maritime Concerns Secretary Andres Centino opened with a stark reminder that the gathering comes “at a moment of heightened complexity in the maritime environment,” where “incursions into the country's waters, coercive actions, and illegal activities by external actors” continue to challenge Philippine sovereignty.

He emphasized that Filipino communities are ready, citing that many fishermen “affirmed their willingness to cooperate or to help the government by reporting maritime incidents and suspicious activities.”

Diplomatic leaders from Australia, Vietnam, and New Zealand highlighted how community-centered maritime governance is emerging as a critical foundation of regional security and cooperation.

Australian Ambassador Mark Innes-Brown said communities become effective first responders when backed by reliable tools and training. He cited Australia’s direct support to frontline Philippine agencies, including the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG).

“In 2024, Australia is proud to donate four watermakers to provide PCG vessels with potable water, allowing for extended mission times during deployment at sea. We also donated very high-frequency radios to the Coast Guard in Palawan, bolstering the PCG's ability to respond to maritime incidents and emergencies,” he added.

Vietnamese Ambassador Lai Thai Binh emphasized that coastal livelihoods anchor Vietnam’s strategic view of the South China Sea.

“The South China Sea is very important to our life,” he said, stressing that Vietnam’s own model reflects the Philippines’ community-first approach: “This focus on community-based monitoring aligns perfectly with Vietnam's initiative to enhance maritime awareness.”

New Zealand Ambassador Catherine McIntosh echoed the crucial role of community capacity-building, noting that their regional maritime safety work is “practical and community level.” She also affirmed that local empowerment saves lives and ecosystems.

In his remarks, Philippine Coast Guard Commandant ADM Ronnie Gil Gavan shared how the PCG has institutionalized community-level involvement.

“Our mission is to engage all of our stakeholders in the coastal communities and beyond. The program allows us not only to provide support to our fishermen, but to leverage their presence at sea as our first-line sources of information on what's happening out there,” he said.

Phl’ steady stand helps keep region stable

Meanwhile, Alyansa ng Bantay sa Kapayapaan at Demokrasya (ABKD), People’s Alliance for Democracy and Reforms (PADER), Liga Independencia Pilipinas (LIPI), and Filipinos Do Not Yield (FDNY) Movement chairman emeritus Dr. Jose Antonio Goitia maintained that the country’s maritime position “must be guided by law, clarity, and the dignity of the Filipino people — never by fear.”

A Stratbase think tank, during the forum, explained that because China is pushing well beyond its borders, the Philippines has become a stabilizing presence.

“When we insist on the 2016 Arbitral Ruling and refuse to 'adjust' our claims to appease Beijing, we help maintain balance in the region. If we waver, uncertainty spreads. If we stand firm, it steadies the neighborhood. When a country grounded in truth refuses to bend to pressure, the message goes far beyond its own shores,” he said.

He said the Philippines has always relied on international law to guide its actions — not power, not intimidation.

“Our rights in the West Philippine Sea are recognized by a global ruling that China cannot simply wish away. We assert these rights calmly and consistently, because that is how responsible nations behave. Strength is not always loud. Sometimes it is found in a country that knows what is right and stays the course,” he explained.

He added that geography has placed the Philippines in a vital position — and the contested waters are not just fishing grounds or routes for cargo ships but part of a wider strategic puzzle affecting peace and trade across continents.

“We didn’t ask to be on the frontline, but we also cannot walk away from it. To defend our seas is to honor every Filipino who fought for this nation. When facts are clear, staying consistent is a form of courage. And courage builds respect. Supporting the Philippines is not about choosing sides. It is about choosing a world where rules still matter. We safeguard our seas today so that future Filipinos inherit a country that never surrendered what was rightfully theirs. The tides may shift, but the Filipino spirit holds the line,” he said.