By Junex Doronio
TO REMOVE OR NOT TO REMOVE the floating barrier allegedly installed by China in Scarborough Shoal?
This is the nagging question that must be answered by the National Task Force for the West Philippine Sea (NTF-WPS) and President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. who’s also the Commander-in-Chief.
On Monday, Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) spokesperson for the WPS Commodore Jay Tarriela noted that the diplomatic process needs to be done in connection with the floating barrier.
“Should the NTF-WPS recommend to the President kung ano man ang gagawin nating action dito (whatever the action is), the PCG, BFAR [Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources], and even the Armed Forces of the Philippines will comply kung ano man ang magiging desisyon dito ng ating (whatever the decision is of our) national government,” Tarriela said in his interview with GMA Integrated News’ Unang Balita.
He clarified that the PCG has yet to consult with PBBM and the national government regarding what must be done to the floating barrier.
“We gave the report already to the NTF-WPS wherein the Department of Justice, Department of Foreign Affairs, Department of National Defense are all part of this inter-agency task force and chaired by the National Security Adviser,” Tarriela disclosed. (ai/mnm)