By Junex Doronio
MANILA — Emboldened by the outpouring of international support, the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) on Friday bravely stood firm that it would not be deterred in performing its mandate to protect the country’s sovereign rights as China is set to enforce its threat to arrest “trespassers” in what it believed to be its territory by virtue of the nine-dash line which runs counter to the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Seas (UNCLOS).
AFP Public Affairs Office (PAO) chief Colonel Xerxes Trinidad maintained that Beijing’s anti-trespassing policy, which will take effect on Saturday, June 15, undermines the rule of law and international norms that govern maritime conduct.
“The presence and actions of its vessels in our waters are illegal, coercive, aggressive and deceptive. We will not be deterred or intimidated,” the AFP PAO chief replied when texted by a television network.
Under the controversial regulation, foreigners accused of illegally entering “Chinese waters” can be detained for up to 60 days without trial starting on Saturday (15 June 2024).
Despite the threat, the AFP said it will continue conducting maritime patrols in areas within the Philippines’ jurisdiction.
“We are not the only one concerned. Even other countries are concerned about that. This is not only the problem of the Philippines, but the problem of ASEAN and the international community,” Trinidad noted.
(el Amigo/mnm)
