Manila relying on ‘transparency initiative’ to offset Beijing’s moves in South China Sea

As Philippine Coast Guard deals with larger Chinese vessels, recording and publicising aggressive tactics helps in battle over narrative

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Published: 10:00pm, 12 Feb 2025Updated: 10:40pm, 12 Feb 2025

Crew members assigned to the Philippine Coast Guard vessel BRP Sindangan say they knew their mission would involve facing off against huge, numerous, intimidating Chinese vessels in the contested waters of the South China Sea.

But that did not fully prepare them for the reality.

“My heart beats up every time a clash is imminent,” which is virtually every voyage, said a senior officer, who asked not to be identified citing security reasons.

“You know what will happen,” added a 30-year old female crew member who dreams of being a captain one day. “But it’s part of our job.”

The 44-metre (144-foot) Sindangan is on the front lines of Manila’s “transparency initiative”, one the nation’s 62 coastguard patrol and 90 naval warfare vessels engaged in the showdown between the Philippines and China over sovereignty. Beijing has an arsenal of some 142 coastguard and 370 naval ships to draw on.

The initiative started two years ago after a Chinese vessel allegedly aimed a “military grade” laser at the BRP Malapascua and temporarily blinded crew members. Beijing said the ship was merely taking measurements of the Philippine vessel with a “green light pointer” in defence of China’s sovereignty.

Journalists report as a Chinese coastguard ship blocks the path of the Philippine coastguard’s BRP Sindangan trying to enter the Second Thomas Shoal in the disputed South China Sea on March 5, 2024. Photo: AP