The West Philippine Sea (WPS) is expected to figure prominently in President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s fifth State of the Nation Address (SoNA) on Monday as his administration confronts persistent tensions with China while deepening defense ties with key allies.

Since taking office in 2022, Marcos has pursued a more assertive policy in defending the Philippines’ sovereign rights within its exclusive economic zone (EEZ), expanding maritime patrols, strengthening resupply missions to Philippine-held outposts and adopting a transparency campaign that allows journalists and foreign observers to witness selected operations.

Despite these efforts, confrontations at sea have continued.

Over the past year, Philippine vessels have repeatedly encountered Chinese Coast Guard and maritime militia ships near Ayungin (Second Thomas) Shoal, Bajo de Masinloc (Scarborough) Shoal and other disputed areas.

Manila has accused Chinese vessels of using water cannons, military-grade lasers, dangerous maneuvers and ramming tactics that endangered Filipino personnel and fishermen.

Beijing has denied the allegations, insisting Philippine vessels illegally entered waters it claims under its jurisdiction.

Most recently, Manila and Beijing summoned each other’s ambassadors after a confrontation near Ayungin Shoal, with both governments accusing the other of provoking the incident.

The Philippine military said a Filipino sailor was injured and a Navy rubber boat was damaged, while China claimed Philippine personnel rammed one of its vessels and assaulted its coast guard personnel.

The continuing standoff has also affected Filipino fishermen, who have reported harassment, restricted access to traditional fishing grounds and the constant presence of Chinese vessels within the Philippines’ EEZ.

Fishing communities have repeatedly appealed for stronger government protection, sustained maritime patrols and additional assistance.

The maritime dispute has become a cornerstone of the Marcos administration’s security policy.

In 2023, the government approved four additional sites under the Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement, raising to nine the number of Philippine military facilities accessible to US forces on a rotational basis.

Philippine officials said the expansion would strengthen territorial defense and improve humanitarian assistance and disaster response capabilities, while China criticized the move as destabilizing.

Beyond its alliance with the United States, the Philippines has expanded defense cooperation with Japan, Australia and Canada through joint maritime patrols, military exercises and reciprocal security agreements aimed at upholding a rules-based order in the Indo-Pacific.

At the same time, the Marcos administration has maintained diplomatic engagement with Beijing through bilateral consultation mechanisms designed to prevent incidents from escalating.

However, the two countries remain at odds over their competing claims.

China continues to reject the 2016 Hague arbitral ruling that invalidated its sweeping claims in the South China Sea, while the Philippines continues to invoke the landmark decision as the legal basis for asserting its rights under international law.

With maritime confrontations persisting and tensions showing little sign of easing, the West Philippine Sea is expected to remain one of the defining issues of the Marcos administration’s foreign and national security agenda.