No Room for Appeasement: Reject Beijing’s Narrative

(Statement of the Stratbase Institute on Vice Sara President Duterte’s Remarks on Philippine Foreign Policy Concerning the West Philippine Sea)

The Stratbase Institute strongly condemns the recent remarks made by Vice President Sara Duterte regarding the Marcos administration’s foreign policy, particularly in relation to the West Philippine Sea. Her remarks disregard the gravity of China’s violations of Philippine sovereignty and shamelessly carry Beijing’s propaganda narrative and ignores the escalating violations of Philippine sovereignty by China.

By undermining the Philippines’ rightful position under international law—most notably the landmark 2016 Arbitral Award which invalidated China’s expansive claims—Vice President Duterte’s remarks serve not the Filipino people, but the strategic interests of a foreign power actively engaged in the militarization and illegal occupation of Philippine maritime territory.

Contrary to her insinuations, the Philippines has not chosen sides in a geopolitical contest. Rather, the current administration has exercised principled diplomacy through a multilateral, rules-based approach that strengthens our national defense and international standing. The growing network of security and economic partnerships—whether with the United States, Japan, Australia, New Zealand, Canada, or the European Union—is grounded in shared values: the peaceful resolution of disputes, adherence to international law, and the preservation of a free and open Indo-Pacific.

To question these partnerships, while remaining silent on China’s coercive actions—its illegal incursions, the harassment of Filipino fishermen, the ramming of Philippine vessels, and the water cannon attacks on resupply missions—betrays the trust of every Filipino who supported her and expected her to stand firmly in defense of the country’s sovereignty and the welfare of our people.

We call on all national leaders to uphold the rules-based order, defend our sovereign rights. We must speak with one voice in upholding the rule of international law, asserting our maritime entitlements, and working closely with like-minded nations to deter China’s aggressions and incursions, whether in the West Philippine Sea or in the Philippine Rise to our east.

Prof. Dindo Manhit

President

Stratbase Institute