About Us
WPS (We Protect our Seas) is a non-government, nonprofit, and nonpartisan volunteer-based organization duly registered with the Philippines’ Securities and Exchange Commission. WPS, Inc. seeks to advance principled approaches to resolving disputes in the West Philippine Sea and the broader South China Sea through rigorous research and dialogues involving academia, public policy, military, and industry throughout Southeast Asia and beyond.
WPS is the coordinating organization of The Manila Dialogue on the South China Sea and the ASEAN Maritime Security Dialogue, two high profile track 1.5 processes that promote a free, open, secure and rules-based maritime order in the region.
Projects/Events
WPS serves as a hub for local and international organizations both in government and the private sector to convene track 1.5 and 2 dialogues, conferences, workshops, educational outreach, and capacity-building projects that promote a free, open, secure and rules-based maritime order in the region.
National Symposium on the Law of the Sea and the West Philippine Sea
Manila, Philippines — WPS, University of the Philippines - Institute for Maritime Affairs and Law of the Sea (UP IMLOS), and University of Asia and…
Track 1.5 Workshop on Countering Coercive Maritime Operations and Cognitive Warfare
Cebu, Philippines — WPS spearheaded the third iteration of the Track 1.5 Workshop on Countering Coercive Maritime Operations and Cognitive Warfare,…
WPS–INDSR Memorandum of Understanding Signing Ceremony
Cebu, Philippines — WPS signs Memorandum of Understanding with the Taipei-based Institute for National Defense and Security Research (INDSR). The MOU…
WPS Mural Festival 2026 Official Launch
Manila, Philippines — The WPS Mural Festival 2026 officially opened to the public on February 10, 2026, bringing together patriots and artists,…
Media
WPS makes real contributions to advancing a rules-based maritime order from an academic and policy perspective through the dialogues, conferences, workshops and research activities we organize. Below are some of our latest engagements.
The Manila Dialogue’s Role in Shaping South China Sea Diplomacy
Can Manila balance diplomacy with defence to protect its sovereignty amid Beijing’s aggressive…
At Philippines’ South China Sea forum, deep divisions surface in clash of narratives
As the ramming of ships and use of water cannons dominated discussions, questions arose about the…
Ambassador ENDO and Vice Commandant for Operations KANOSUE attend the Manila Dialogue on the South China Sea 2024
From 6th to 8th November 2024, Ambassador ENDO Kazuya and Japan Coast Guard Vice Commandant for…
U.S. Ambassador MaryKay Carlson Remarks at the Manila Dialogue on the South China Sea
“Peace and Stability in the South China Sea: The Stakes of the International Community” Panel…
Manila Dialogue on SCS convenes
THE inaugural Manila Dialogue on the South China Sea convened on Nov. 6 in a high-stakes forum…