The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) has officially labeled the country's ongoing struggle with China in the West Philippine Sea (WPS) as a 'political war.' This declaration signals a shift in military strategy amid escalating tensions.
During a recent forum hosted by the Stratbase Institute and Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung, AFP Chief of Staff Gen. Romeo Brawner Jr., represented by Lt. Gen. Arvin Lagamon, stated that while military conflict has not yet materialized, various forms of warfare are actively taking place.
We are already at war. Not yet a kinetic war, but the political war, the economic war, and more importantly, the cyber and informational war are already going on.
Lt. Gen. Arvin Lagamon, AFP Deputy Chief of Staff
Lagamon highlighted the daily challenges posed by China's aggressive actions in the WPS, which he described as 'illegal, coercive, aggressive, deceptive, destructive, and bullying.' The official stressed the importance of defending national rights against external pressures, particularly in light of China's disregard for the 2016 arbitral ruling favoring the Philippines.
- China's use of 'sharp power' to influence public perception.
- The need for Filipinos to critically evaluate information.
- The significance of the 2016 arbitral ruling regarding the Philippines' exclusive economic zone.
Rear Admiral Roy Trinidad, spokesperson for the WPS, emphasized the need to safeguard the 'cognitive domain' of the Filipino populace. He warned that misinformation could sway public opinion, potentially affecting future elections.
Stratbase President Victor Andres 'Dindo' Manhit called for a proactive transition from merely asserting rights to actively defending them. He noted that efforts to undermine the arbitral ruling continue to persist, necessitating heightened vigilance.
The 2016 ruling from the Permanent Court of Arbitration invalidated China's extensive claims in the South China Sea, recognizing the Philippines' sovereign rights. This landmark decision remains pivotal in the ongoing territorial conflict.