MANILA — The National Task Force for the West Philippine Sea (NTF-WPS) has called on China to immediately stop its illegal activities in Philippine waters, warning that such actions threaten the safety of Filipinos, the livelihood of local fishermen, and the country’s maritime rights.
In a statement released Monday, October 19, 2026, the task force reiterated the Philippines’ commitment to protecting its sovereignty, sovereign rights, and maritime interests in the West Philippine Sea.
The NTF-WPS emphasized that illegal activities by Chinese vessels pose risks to Filipino fishermen who depend on the disputed waters for their livelihood.
It also underscored the importance of respecting international law, particularly the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) and the 2016 arbitral ruling that rejected the legal basis for China’s expansive historic-rights claims in the South China Sea.
The task force maintained that the Philippines would continue asserting its maritime rights and protecting Filipino communities affected by tensions in the region.
The NTF-WPS also called for respect for international maritime rules and urged China to refrain from activities that could further escalate tensions in the West Philippine Sea.
The Philippines has consistently maintained that its maritime entitlements must be respected in accordance with international law.
