A maritime law expert stressed that the West Philippine Sea must remain peaceful, open, and freely navigable, rejecting any notion that it could be treated as an exclusive territory of China.

Prof. Jay Batongbacal of the University of the Philippines Institute for Maritime Affairs and Law of the Sea made the remarks in an interview on DZRH’s program Dos Por Dos on Thursday, June 11, where he discussed growing geopolitical tensions in the region.

Batongbacal warned that allowing any state to expand control in the area could set a precedent for further territorial expansion beyond the South China Sea, affecting not only the Philippines but also other Pacific nations.

“Kailangan po unang manatili na mapayapa at accessible, pwedeng daanan at magamit ang West Philippine Sea at South China Sea,” he said, adding that such a scenario would effectively legitimize continued expansion.

He noted that recent developments show increasing assertions of influence even in areas far from the disputed waters, including parts of the Pacific Ocean, raising concerns over broader regional maritime boundaries.

Batongbacal also pointed to incidents involving negotiations between the Philippines and Japan over exclusive economic zones, saying external interference in distant maritime talks signals an expanding scope of claims.

He stressed that firm resistance is necessary in areas such as the Scarborough Shoal, warning against any move that could transform it into a permanently controlled or artificially modified feature.

“Kailangan makita nila na hindi talaga papayag ang Pilipinas at lahat ng ibang bansa na lalo pa silang lumaki. Ganun po kahalaga 'yun. Hindi lang para sa Pilipinas, kundi para sa ibang bansa din,” Batongbacal said, emphasizing that all policy options should remain under consideration, including more difficult and strategic responses if necessary.

The interview comes amid continuing tensions in the South China Sea, where multiple countries maintain overlapping territorial and maritime claims.