How should the Philippines approach the WPS dispute with China?

BusinessWorld B-Side

Philippine President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. asserted the country’s position on disputes over the West Philippine Sea (WPS), stating that “the West Philippine Sea is not a figment of our imagination; it is ours,” in his SONA 2024. This marks the first time that President Marcos Jr. has clearly stated his stance on the WPS dispute in his SONA, potentially influenced by ongoing public pressure following the Chinese Coast Guard’s aggression against Filipino troops last June.On this issue, Mr. Jemy Gatdula, the Dean of the Institute of Law at the University of Asia and Pacific, and an opinion columnist for BusinessWorld, has shared his insights on the approaches that the Philippines can take regarding its maritime disputes with China.