PH not sending warships to Scarborough Shoal, contingency in place

Metro Manila, Philippines - The government said Monday it will not send warships to Scarborough Shoal despite rising tensions in the disputed waters, even as Manila is committed to peaceful dispute resolution.

National Maritime Council (NMC) spokesperson Alexander Lopez explained that deploying navy vessels, referred to as "gray ships," risks provoking miscalculation.

“Hindi tayo magpapadala ng navy natin para tapatan ang navy nila… once you deploy a navy vessel there, para bang you come war-like. That’s not the policy of our government,” Lopez said.

[Translation: We will not send our navy to confront their navy… once you deploy a navy vessel there, it looks war-like. That is not the policy of our government]

He said restraint should not be mistaken for weakness.

“We do not want this situation to escalate, and if ever it escalates, it is not to the best interest of our country. It is not even in the best interest of China,” he added.

Contingency plans

The council assured the public that contingency measures are in place should the situation deteriorate.

“We are hoping for the best, but we are planning for the worst scenario. That’s very military,” Lopez said, stressing that the government prepares for large-scale crises rather than “small” incidents.

“Basic naman sa amin yan” [That is basic for us],” he said.

Fresh tension

The statement comes after a China Coast Guard (CCG) vessel collided with a People’s Liberation Army-Navy (PLAN) warship while chasing the BRP Suluan last Monday. The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) said the risky maneuver from the CCG caused heavy damage to the Chinese vessel, rendering it unseaworthy.

PCG spokesperson Jay Tarriela said the Philippines even offered rescue assistance for possible Chinese casualties, but Beijing ignored the offer.

In January, the Philippine Navy conducted drills near Scarborough Shoal, described as “routine unilateral exercises” within the country’s exclusive economic zone. These exercises coincided with radio challenges by the PCG against China’s largest coast guard vessel patrolling the shoal.

The Philippines has repeatedly cited the 2016 arbitral tribunal ruling that invalidated Beijing’s sweeping maritime claims. China has refused to recognize the ruling.

Scarborough Shoal was the site of a major 2012 standoff between the Philippines and China, with the US backing Manila at the time.

After weeks of stalemate, the Philippines, facing worsening weather and under pressure from US-brokered talks, withdrew its vessels from the shoal. China, however, did not reciprocate and instead maintained its ships in the area.

By mid-June 2012, Beijing had gained de facto control of Scarborough Shoal, and had since barred Filipino fishermen from entering the lagoon.