By Val Panlilio | 2025-05-23

A close maritime encounter between the Philippine navy and Chinese warships on May 5 near Scarborough Shoal is the latest incident to intensify concerns over Beijing's growing assertiveness in the South China Sea.

The Philippine military said Chinese naval and coast guard vessels engaged in "reckless" maneuvers that nearly resulted in a collision with a Filipino patrol ship.

The confrontation occurred just 11.8 nautical miles (21.8km) southeast of Scarborough Shoal, where the BRP Emilio Jacinto (PS35) was on a routine patrol with the Bureau of Fisheries and Philippine Coast Guard.

According to the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFOTP), two Chinese navy frigates and a China Coast Guard ship attempted to obstruct and intimidate the Philippine vessel.

One frigate closely trailed the Jacinto, while the other executed a high-risk maneuver by crossing its bow. The China Coast Guard vessel tried to block the ship's navigational path.

Despite the confrontation, the Philippine crew continued its patrol without escalation. The AFOTP condemned the maneuvers as "reckless" and "provocative," warning of miscalculation that could spark regional instability.

Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr. characterized the event as part of an expected pattern, stating that there is "a price to pay [for] freedom," and that the Philippines must "stand up" as a republic rather than "appease and capitulate," according to a May 9 article of the Philippine News Agency.

China denied wrongdoing. The People's Liberation Army Southern Theater Command accused the Philippine ship of "illegally intruding" into waters around what it calls Huangyan Dao.

'Robust' defense

The latest confrontation highlights a shift from Chinese coast guard or militia presence to active naval deployment.

It is part of a broader effort to expand China's presence and influence beyond the so-called First Island Chain, which includes the Philippines, Taiwan and Japan, say analysts.

It occurred just days after the conclusion of US-Philippine military exercises in the region, and coincided with the presence of Chinese intelligence-gathering ships operating near Japan, as reported by Newsweek on May 9.

In response to Beijing's escalating tactics, Philippine officials emphasize aligning strategy with national interests and strengthening alliances.

Security challenges in the South China Sea are "unlikely to diminish anytime soon," National Security Adviser Eduardo Año acknowledged.

He denounced "China's baseless, excessive and expansive territorial claims, militarization, and confrontations with its neighbors," according to the Philippine News Agency.

The Philippines is taking proactive steps to enhance its defense and maritime law enforcement, including boosting personnel training and expanding partnerships, Año said, according to the Philippine News Agency.

A "robust, credible and self-reliant defense system is on top of our priorities to meet any challenge to our sovereignty, sovereign rights and maritime jurisdictions," he said, according to the SCMP.

Better coordination needed

Still, challenges remain.

Without better internal coordination, the Philippines risks losing control over both perception and territory, analysts Jonathan Walberg and Ethan Connell wrote in The Diplomat on April 23.

"Without a unified strategy, Manila risks ceding control of the narrative -- and the sea -- to Beijing," they said.

Plans are under way to boost maritime domain awareness and upgrade the military through partnerships with countries such as Australia, Japan and New Zealand, further diversifying Manila's security architecture.

This commitment to new partnerships is exemplified by recent developments.

On May 20, the Philippines and Germany signed a defense deal to share classified information.

A "clearer arrangement" on intelligence sharing would help the Philippines counter foreign influence and information warfare, AFOTP Deputy Chief of Staff for Plans Maj. Gen. Rommel Cordova said.

On the same day, the coast guards of the Philippines and the United States took part in joint military drills for the first time, as part of broader defense exercises. The drills, conducted off the coasts of Palawan and Occidental Mindoro, included air and sea coordination, search and rescue operations and tactical exercises.

The Philippine military described the unprecedented move as a part of a "growing whole-of-nation approach to maritime cooperation."

With growing Chinese military presence and intensified maritime encounters, Manila's shift toward a stronger long-term defense may be vital to safeguarding sovereignty and regional peace.