In light of numerous instances of bullying, Mamamayang Liberal party-list Rep. Leila de Lima yesterday proposed the government’s utilization of the Armed Forces of the Philippines – not just the civilian Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) – in warding off Chinese vessels in the West Philippine Sea (WPS). “It is high time our Navy start defending innocent Filipino civilians inside our own EEZ (exclusive economic zone) and expel the Chinese pirates,” De Lima said. In order to prevent escalation and avert a war, both countries – China and the Philippines – only use their coast guard vessels to patrol the waters off Palawan.

Porcalla, D. (2025, December 15). De Lima: Deploy Navy to West Philippine Sea to foil harassment. The Philippine Star, p. 3.