The West Philippine Sea as a Reflection of Filipino Identity and Sovereignty

The West Philippine Sea as a Reflection of Filipino Identity and Sovereignty

By Christian Jay S. Laya, LPT CSPE- HGE, MAPS (CAR)

The assertion that "the West Philippine Sea does not exist" is purely hypothetical and an exercise in exploring identity, nationhood, and territoriality. In this sense, if we argue that the West Philippine Sea is a fiction, we might extend that logic to question the existence of the Philippines itself, as you’ve suggested. The idea that a nation is an “imagined community” stems from Benedict Anderson's theory, where he claims that nations are socially constructed, bound by shared symbols, values, and history. The Philippines, as a modern nation-state, is certainly a product of historical events, struggles, and collective imagination. 

However, this doesn’t negate the reality of our identity as a people, the sovereignty we claim, or the tangible existence of our territory, including the Philippine Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ). Even if the nation is a construct, the physical boundaries we claim are based on historical and international agreements. The EEZ, which extends 200 nautical miles from the Philippines' coast, is our legal right under international law. Its existence is a reflection of both our physical geography and the collective understanding of what makes a sovereign state.

From a personal standpoint, the notion that the Philippines, or our EEZ, is a "constructed" idea doesn’t diminish its importance. Yes, our nation might have been "imagined," but so too are all nations. What matters is that we, as Filipinos, share a common bond that unites us — from our language, culture, and shared experiences — and this bond strengthens our identity and territorial claims. The West Philippine Sea, despite any theoretical debate, is where we assert our rights as a nation and where we challenge those who contest our sovereignty. 

Thus, while ideas and philosophies about nationhood may be subject to intellectual debate, the essence of the Philippines as a nation, and its EEZ, stands firmly in the reality of international law, geography, and our national identity. We exist, and so does our EEZ.

Photo Courtesy by Google Image (INQ)