Tensions surrounding the West Philippine Sea continue to unfold across multiple fronts — from economic warnings and diplomatic exchanges to legal arguments and military posture. Recent statements from Chinese and Philippine officials, as well as commentary from legal experts, highlight how the dispute is now playing out not only at sea, but also in public discourse, economic signaling, and domestic policy debate.
China warns Philippine economic ties at risk amid diplomatic row
The Chinese Embassy in Manila warned that actions by some Philippine lawmakers targeting Chinese diplomats could jeopardise economic ties and potentially put millions of Filipino jobs at risk, as tensions over maritime disputes intensify. The embassy’s statement follows Senate debates over resolutions condemning Beijing’s rhetoric on the West Philippine Sea.
Source: Global Nation – Inquirer
https://globalnation.inquirer.net/309047/china-warning-row-puts-millions-of-ph-jobs-at-risk
Philippine Navy says personnel unaffected by “word war” with China
The Philippine Navy said Filipino troops remain focused on their mandate and are unaffected by verbal exchanges with Chinese officials over the West Philippine Sea dispute, despite heightened rhetoric between the two governments.
Source: GMA Integrated News
https://www.gmanetwork.com/news/topstories/nation/976585/ph-navy-china/story/
Carpio criticises DFA’s “closed-door” diplomacy on West PH Sea
Retired Supreme Court Associate Justice Antonio Carpio said that insisting on closed-door diplomacy with China risks letting Beijing “win” because it limits transparency about China’s actions in the sea. Carpio advocates for public and open engagement to highlight the situation.
Source: ABS-CBN News
https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2026/2/13/-china-wins-carpio-rejects-dfa-s-closed-door-diplomacy-on-wps-0958
DFA emphasises maritime rights based on territory, not EEZ lines
The Department of Foreign Affairs clarified that the Philippines’ maritime entitlements in the West Philippine Sea derive from sovereignty over land territory and high-tide features, not merely from exclusive economic zone (EEZ) demarcations, reaffirming the country’s legal position amid ongoing disputes.
Source: GMA Integrated News
https://www.gmanetwork.com/news/topstories/nation/976462/philippine-martime-entitlements-sovereignty-territory/story/
China rejects sanctions on Filipino lawmakers for now
The Chinese Embassy in Manila has rejected, for now, proposals to impose sanctions against Filipino lawmakers amid escalating tensions over maritime issues, but said reciprocal diplomatic measures remain a possibility if disputes escalate further.
Source: Daily Tribune / Tribune.net.ph
https://tribune.net.ph/2026/02/15/china-rejects-sanctions-on-filipino-lawmakers-for-now