By Junex Doronio
MANILA — Trashing China’s insinuation that the United States and other allies may have a “hidden agenda” on the West Philippine Sea (WPS) issue, the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) on Thursday said the country will continue to welcome countries that support its interests.
PCG spokesperson Commodore Jay Tarriela stressed that the Philippines will keep its vigilance against “bullies” and called out China for blaming the actions of the Philippines as well as the US for the rising tensions in the South China Sea.
“While it is true that there is no such thing as free lunch, unlike China, our allies do not take away our lunch especially if it is rightfully ours,” Tarriela said in a post on X (formerly Twitter).
He was reacting to an editorial article in the Chinese government-supported publication Global Times.
The article read, “The Philippines must remain vigilant against the ‘enthusiasm’ displayed by the US and some other countries. There is no such thing as a free lunch, and behind the US’ “enthusiasm” lies a hidden agenda.”
It can also be noted that recently, Chinese state media People’s Daily also published a commentary accusing the Philippines of infringing on China’s territory, spreading false information, and colluding with other countries to cause trouble.
“Until now, the [People’s Republic of China] has not come to terms with the fact that their fabricated narratives and baseless claims about the alleged aggressive actions of the Philippines are not that convincing,” Tarriela quipped.
Meanwhile, the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) also said the Philippines is not provoking conflict in the South China Sea.
“[The] Philippines is not provoking conflict. We follow international law and we are only implementing our domestic law,” AFP spokesperson Colonel Medel Aguilar pointed out.
He further said the Philippines is not conducting activities that will put vessels and seafarers in danger and instead accused China of performing dangerous maneuvers that sometimes result in collisions at sea.
“They are the ones committing all the violations,” Aguilar retorted.
He noted that the Philippines was just conducting activities within its territorial waters and exclusive economic zone (EEZ).
(IAmigo/MNM)
MANILA — Department of Transportation (DOTr) Secretary Jaime Bautista and Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) Commandant Ronnie Gil Gavan conducted a thorough inspection of PCG’s firearms and assets on December 7, 2023, reinforcing preparedness for patrols across the nation’s ports.
In response to the recent bombing at Marawi City’s Mindanao State University gymnasium and the impending holiday rush, DOTr Secretary Bautista highlighted the necessity for an elevated state of alert within the PCG for enhanced security during patrols.
To ensure the safety of passengers heading to their hometown destinations, Bautista emphasized the intensified presence of PCG personnel at airports, seaports, and bus stations nationwide.
(Benjamin Cuaresma/ai/mnm)
MANILA — A member of the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) is now in critical condition, declared brain dead following an incident during a Water Search and Rescue (WASAR) training session at Sangley Point, Cavite City, on a Saturday afternoon.
The victim, identified as Mon Caguay y Baglinit, 30, a native of Tabuk, Kalinga Apayao, and a PCG member, is presently undergoing treatment at the San Pedro Calungsod Medical Center, Cavite.
Romana Caguay, the mother of the victim, has already filed a formal complaint with the Cavite City Component Police Station, alleging that her son drowned during the WASAR training organized by PCG personnel stationed at Sangley Point, Cavite City.
The incident occurred at approximately 3:30 PM on November 16, 2023, in the seawater of Manila Bay, Barangay 48, Sangley Point, Cavite City.
In addition to the local police, the family intends to seek further assistance by filing a complaint with the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI), particularly against the PCG-MSSC (Philippine Coast Guard-Maritime Safety Services Command) training staff.
(Benjamin Cuaresma/ai/mnm)
By Junex Doronio
“When you’re weak, pretend that you’re strong.” — Sun Tzu
APPARENTLY APPLYING THE “ART OF WAR” by military genius Sun Tzu, China just laughed at the removal by the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) of the floating barrier installed by the Chinese Coast Guard (CCG) in Scarborough Shoal following the marching order of President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. and National Security Adviser (NSA) Eduardo Año.
“What the Philippines did looks like nothing more than self-amusement,” Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Wang Wenbin said in a press conference on Wednesday, September 27.
Wang issued the statement when asked if it’s true that China removed the remnants of its floating barrier from the shoal as reported by the PCG and if China’s position on its claim over Scarborough Shoal has somehow changed.
“I would like to reiterate that Huangyan Dao (Scarborough Shoal) has always been China’s territory… China will continue to safeguard our territorial sovereignty and maritime rights and interests over Huangyan Dao (Scarborough Shoal),” he maintained.
Earlier, PCG Commodore Jay Tarriela said, “The decisive action of the PCG to remove the barrier aligns with international law and the Philippines’ sovereignty over the shoal.”
BDM or Scarborough Shoal, located 229.6 kilometers (124 nautical miles) away from Zambales province, is part of the Philippines’ exclusive economic zone (EEZ) and is considered one of the traditional fishing grounds for Filipinos.
The United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) defines an Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) as generally extending 200 nautical miles from shore, within which the coastal state has the right to explore and exploit, and the responsibility to conserve and manage, both living and non-living resources.
“The 2016 Arbitral Award has affirmed that BDM is the traditional fishing ground of Filipino fishermen. Thus, any obstruction hindering the livelihoods of Filipino fisherfolk in the shoal violates international law. It also infringes on the Philippines’ sovereignty over BDM,” Tarriela pointed out. (ai/mnm)