In a creative and brave move to reduce tensions in the South China Sea, the Philippine Coast Guard has turned to female officers to help calm stressful situations with aggressive foreign ships.

Philippine and China have an ongoing territorial dispute over the Spratly Islands and Scarborough Shoa.

Philippine Coast Guards have been facing provocative moves by Chinese ships in these waters. Whenever tensions arise, the Philippine Captain of the Coast Guard knows it’s important to stay in control without making things worse. That’s where the voices of female officers have made a real difference.

In Manila, we met the commander of one of the Coast Guard ships. For safety reasons, I won’t share names or ranks. The captain introduced us to one of the women leading this effort:

“In high-pressure moments, the way we speak can change everything. We’ve learned that a calm, clear, and strong voice, especially from a woman, can lower the chance of aggression and help get the other side to cooperate,” he said.

On the bridge, we met Naval Officer Rosana (not her real name). Her calm and reassuring voice has been a key factor in stopping potential conflicts. The Coast Guard’s approach of speaking calmly stands in sharp contrast to the often intense emotions in confrontations at sea, where things can easily escalate.

Rosana explained, “It’s not just about being in charge; it’s about keeping everyone safe. We want peace, not violence, and how we speak can be just as powerful as any military move.”

In these tense waters, the Philippine Coast Guard shows us that sometimes, the most powerful tool isn’t force—but the strength of staying calm and peaceful.

Stevenson Liu, a Vanuatu Journalist was part of the East-West Center fellowship 2024 Team who travelled to the Philippines in December.