菲律宾海岸警卫队否认了中国关于其监测活动是宣传作秀的说法。官员报告称，5月16日，菲律宾派遣了一架飞机，对一艘在中业岛附近进行未经授权勘测的中国科考船进行了拦截。
菲律宾海岸警卫队发言人、海军少将杰伊·塔里埃拉（Jay Tarriela）于5月18日表示，这些巡逻是该国根据《联合国海洋法公约》行使主权的一部分。他指出，中国科考船“向阳红33”号在两艘海警船的护航下出现，并有人员在位于中业岛领海内的渚碧礁2号和3号礁（Cay-2和Cay-3）上登陆。
塔里埃拉补充说，记录显示有二十艘中国海上民兵船只出现在渚碧礁3号和4号礁附近。菲方通过无线电多次发出警告，要求这些船只停止活动，并称其为未经菲律宾同意的非法海洋科学研究。
菲律宾海岸警卫队司令罗尼·吉尔·加万（Ronnie Gil Gavan）海军上将证实，根据小费迪南德·马科斯（Ferdinand Marcos Jr.）总统的指令，该部门将坚定地捍卫该区域。对这艘科考船的监测始于4月18日，当时该船进入了西菲律宾海。
The Philippine Coast Guard announced it will deploy vessels and aircraft to challenge and drive away Chinese research ships conducting unlawful marine scientific research in the West Philippine Sea. Four Chinese vessels were detected operating in Philippine waters without government consent. The PCG emphasized that foreign marine scientific research requires prior government authorization.
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The Philippine Coast Guard has distanced itself from a supposed maritime cooperation deal with China, including joint patrols in the West Philippine Sea, as announced by the Chinese ambassador. Rear Admiral Jay Tarriela said the PCG is not involved in crafting such plans. Tensions persist following incidents involving Chinese forces.
Asserting Philippine sovereignty in the West Philippine Sea must go beyond sea patrols and diplomatic protests, Sen. Risa Hontiveros said. This comes after her assessment trip to Pag-asa Island, where she noted shortages in infrastructure. She advocates for a sustainable civilian presence in the Kalayaan Island Group.
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Former Supreme Court Associate Justice Antonio Carpio said international naval drills in the West Philippine Sea recognize the Philippines' claims under the 2016 arbitral ruling. He shared this in an ANC interview on April 1, even as China rejects the decision. Carpio pointed out that this falls short of full enforcement due to the Philippines' lack of political will.