The National Maritime Council (NMC) on Monday ruled out the possibility of deploying Philippine Navy warships to Panatag (Scarborough) Shoal, deeming it a “warlike” move. NMC spokesperson Alexander Lopez made this clear despite a Chinese vessel’s harassment of a Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) mission on Aug. 11 at the shoal and the presence of a Chinese fighter jet during the PCG’s inspection of the disputed area two days later.

Mendoza, J. E. (2025, August 19). Maritime council rules out deployment of PH warships to Panatag. Philippine Daily Inquirer, p. A4.