Safeguarding rule of law through a strategy of assertive transparency

As a rising middle power in the Indo-Pacific, the Philippines is faced with asymmetric security challenges particularly in the maritime domain. At the core of these challenges that persist in the West Philippine Sea are gray zone operations, disinformation tactics, and information warfare.

In 2016, the Permanent Court of Arbitration issued a historic ruling in favor of the Philippines. This ruling, backed by the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea and international law, is legally binding on all parties. This has likewise been widely recognized and supported by like-minded partners throughout the years.

Despite the Philippines’ notable victory, its national sovereignty, territorial integrity and economic rights are continuously challenged by China’s blatant disregard of its obligations under international law. China, immersed in its imperialist fantasy, relentlessly pursues its illegal activities such as building artificial islands and harassing Filipino vessels at sea without thought of grave consequences to the environment and safety of people onboard. These activities, which threaten to undermine the peace, security, and stability of the rules-based international order, demand urgent attention.

Given this backdrop, the administration of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has implemented a strategic shift of the country’s foreign and security strategies to assert our rights more firmly. A strategy of assertive transparency, aligned with the goal of countering massive disinformation campaigns, is robustly undertaken to increase public awareness of and support for issues we face in the West Philippine Sea.

At the frontlines of transparency efforts is the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG). During the forum titled “Unveiling Asymmetric Challenges through Assertive Transparency” organized by the Stratbase ADR Institute in partnership with the Embassy of Australia in the Philippines, CG Commodore Jay Tarriela stated that the PCG has “shifted from silently enduring bullying tactics to adopting a more assertive approach in narrating and exposing illegal actions of China.” 

The renewed approach involves documenting the PCG’s encounters with aggressive actors in our