Marcos rejects deployment of Navy warships in WPS

President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. rejected the deployment of Philippine Navy warships in the West Philippine Sea (WPS), stating the country "will never be part of an escalation" and that such a move would be seen as provocative.

He clarified that the Philippines is not at war and does not need Navy warships for resupplying fishermen and protecting territorial rights, as these roles are for the Philippine Coast Guard and the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR).

Marcos' statement followed reports of Chinese vessels using high-intensity lasers and water cannons against BFAR vessels in the WPS last week.

The Philippine Navy (PN) expressed support for the President's decision, emphasizing that their deployed warships in the WPS conduct patrol operations and secure Filipino fishermen.

PN spokesperson for WPS, Rear Adm. Roy Vincent Trinidad, stated that the PN's warships have not been used to intimidate other vessels, unlike the People's Liberation Army (PLA) Navy vessels which confront and harass Philippine vessels.

Trinidad added that the PN is not worried by China's "grey zone" warfare, which involves illegal, coercive, and deceptive actions, and that their presence in the WPS remains strong despite not matching China's aggressiveness.