By Junex Doronio
MANILA — Tension gripped the West Philippine Sea again when two Chinese warships allegedly harassed two vessels of the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) by tailing them and pointed lasers at a plane of the same agency in the contested waters on Monday (30 September 2024).
It was gathered that two missile boats of the People’s Liberation Army Navy (PLAN) of China tailed BFAR’s BRP Datu Matanam Taradapit and BRP Datu Romapenet.
One of the Chinese warships also pointed a laser at the BFAR plane.
In response, BFAR plane pilots issued a radio challenge to the Chinese missile boat but it did not answer.
Aside from this, China Coast Guard (CCG) vessel 21555 was also spotted in the area.
Dr. Chester Cabalza, director and founder of International Development and Security Cooperation, said the latest Chinese maritime aggression was alarming and unexpected.
“Nakakabahala itong insidente na ito lalong-lalo na missile ship ang nag-shadow sa ating BFAR ship. Hindi ito expected na nangyayari dahil alam natin na kapag grey ship, tulad ng missile ship na nakita natin, nagpapakita ng ngipin at lakas ang China,” Cabalza said.
The non-profit military association US Naval Institute said the Houbei-class guided-missile craft from the People’s Liberation Army Navy (PLAN) is noticeable by its blue camouflage paint scheme.
It added that the Houbei-class guided-missile craft could carry up to 12 crew members and 8 anti-ship cruise missiles.
Cabalza noted that China wanted to “build some fear” and intimidate Philippine ships in the West Philippine Sea.
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By Junex Doronio
MANILA – Despite ongoing efforts by the Philippines to de-escalate tensions in the West Philippine Sea, Chinese Coast Guard (CCG) vessels reportedly rammed and fired water cannons at a Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) ship on Sunday (25 Aug 2024) afternoon at Escoda Shoal, a contested area within the broader South China Sea.
This incident occurred despite an international ruling invalidating China’s claims based on its nine-dash line.
Initial reports indicated that the BFAR ship, BRP Datu Sanday, had sailed to Escoda Shoal to deliver fuel and supplies to fishermen operating near the area.
At least five CCG vessels began shadowing the BFAR ship as early as 10 a.m. on Sunday, August 25, 2024.
Reports suggest that some journalists were on board the BRP Datu Sanday when the ramming occurred. However, no immediate reports of damage or injuries have been confirmed.
Earlier on Sunday, prior to the incident, the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) reaffirmed its commitment to maintaining its presence in the West Philippine Sea.
Lt. Gen. Charlton Sean Gaerlan, AFP Deputy Chief of Staff, stated that the Philippines would continue to assert its rights amid China’s ongoing acts of aggression.
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By Junex Doronio
MANILA — Despite the latest collision between Philippine and Chinese vessels, the Philippine Navy on Tuesday (20 August 2924) expressed belief that the Escoda or Sabina Shoal is not a “new flashpoint” in the West Philippine Sea.
“Sabina or Escoda Shoal is not a new flashpoint,” Philippine Navy spokesperson for WPS Rear Admiral Roy Vincent Trinidad said in a press conference.
However, he maintained that the illegal, coercive, aggressive, and deceptive actions of China’s People’s Liberation Army Navy (PLAN), Coast Guard (CCG), and maritime militia vessels are the “cause of all the dynamics in the WPS.”
“The presence of the CCG, the maritime militia, and the PLAN is illegal. Their actions are coercive and aggressive. Their messages are deceptive. These are the cause of all the dynamics in the WPS,” Trinidad said.
He noted that the collisions between the Philippine Coast Guard and CCG ships near Escoda Shoal on Monday were the first in recent memory.
“All of the actions of the PLAN, the CCG, and the maritime militia will be below the threshold of conflict. It will not reach the point that they will initiate escalation to the point of conflict,” Trinidad said.
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By Junex Doronio
MANILA — The Philippine Navy (PN) on Tuesday (13 Aug 2024) revealed that the number of Chinese military, Coast Guard, and research ships monitored in the West Philippine Sea (WPS) has increased.
It noted that from August 6 to 12, there were nine People’s Liberation Army Navy (PLAN) ships, 13 China Coast Guard (CCG) vessels, and two research vessels in the WPS.
The PN said these are higher compared to the three PLAN ships, 12 CCG vessels, and one research ship monitored in the previous week.
However, the number of Chinese maritime militia (CMM) vessels decreased from 106 to 68.
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By Junex Doronio
MANILA — Amid ongoing tensions in the West Philippine Sea, Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr. met with American congressmen on Saturday to discuss the Philippines-U.S. strategic relationship and security alliance.
According to the United States Embassy in the Philippines, Teodoro met with Representatives Michael T. McCaul (Republican-Texas) and Addison Graves Wilson (Republican-South Carolina, 2nd District), both members of the United States Congressional Delegation (CODEL).
On Friday, August 9, 2024, President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. also met with the U.S. CODEL, expressing gratitude to the American lawmakers for their support and partnership amid the “new challenges” in the region.
McCaul, chairman of the House Committee on Foreign Affairs and chairman emeritus of the House Committee on Homeland Security, assured Marcos Jr. of continued Foreign Military Financing (FMF) support.
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By Junex Doronio
MANILA — Amid ongoing tensions in the West Philippine Sea, the Philippine Coast Guard and Vietnam Coast Guard conducted their first-ever joint maritime exercise on Friday (09 Aug 2024) marking a historic collaboration aimed at showcasing their emergency response capabilities.
The exercise was held eight nautical miles from Corregidor Island at the mouth of Manila Bay.
Despite their respective territorial claims in the West Philippine Sea, the joint activity sought to enhance the interoperability and operational readiness of both coast guards, as active member states of the ASEAN Coast Guard Forum (ACF).
The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) reported that the exercises included search and rescue operations, fire and explosion prevention drills, and a passing exercise.
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By Junex Doronio
MANILA – The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) disclosed on Tuesday (06 Aug 2024) that the number of Chinese vessels in the West Philippine Sea has increased from 102 to 122.
In a media briefing at Camp Aguinaldo, AFP spokesperson Col. Francel Margareth Padilla reported that a total of 122 Chinese Coast Guard, People’s Liberation Army Navy, and maritime militia vessels were observed in Philippine waters from July 30 to August 5.
These vessels were located in areas including Bajo de Masinloc, Ayungin Shoal, Pag-asa Islands, Escoda Shoal, and Rozul Reef.
“We challenge all foreign vessels. On the matter of enforcing maritime law, we leave it up to the Philippine Coast Guard,” said Philippine Navy spokesperson for the West Philippine Sea, Rear Admiral Roy Vincent Trinidad.
This figure marks an increase from the 102 Chinese vessels spotted from July 23 to 29.
Included in the 122 vessels was China’s multi-purpose oceanographic research vessel Ke Xue San Hao in Escoda.
“The whole picture is that in the entire West Philippine Sea, we have monitored the presence of PLA Navy, the Chinese coast guard, and the maritime militia. Overall, their actions are illegal, their presence is illegal, sometimes they are coercive, aggressive, and deceptive,” Trinidad emphasized.
Despite an international tribunal ruling that its assertion has no legal basis, China continues to claim most of the South China Sea, including parts of the West Philippine Sea.
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By Junex Doronio
MANILA — Notwithstanding the assertion of President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr to defend the West Philippine Sea in his third State of the Nation Address (SONA) that received the loudest applause and standing ovations from the gallery, the fisherfolks of Masinloc in Zambales were not so ecstatic as they have long been seeking government assistance on life insurance and larger boats as the China Coast Guard continues to control Bajo de Masinloc (Panatag or Scarborough Shoal), a resource-rich traditional fishing ground in the Philippines’ exclusive economic zone.
Leonardo Cuaresma, president of New Masinloc Fishermen Association, noted that the President only mentioned his programs on aquaculture and mariculture, which small-scale fishers do not have the capacity to do.
“Bagamat may mga ilang programa na kanyang nabanggit sa atin pong mga mangingisda, pero hindi po kami na-satisfy,” Cuaresma quipped in an interview on Teleradyo Serbisyo in a telephone interview shortly after PBBM delivered his SONA on Monday (22 July 2024).
He also said that it would have been better if the government has provided them with larger boats to help them sustain their fishing livelihood in the face of challenges from the China Coast Guard.
“Kung meron sana kaming magagandang sasakyang pandagat bukod sa makakatulong kami sa seguridad ng atin pong soberanya…ay makakatulong din ito para sa sustenableng pangkabuhayan po ng bawat mangingisdang Pilipino,” Cuaresma stressed.
Based on the 2016 arbitral ruling that invalidated China’s sweeping claims over the South China Sea, Bajo de Masinloc is a traditional fishing ground and no coastal nation should block access to it.
(el Amigo/MNM)
MANILA – The Philippines and China have agreed on a provisional arrangement for the rotation and resupply (RORE) missions to the BRP Sierra Madre in Ayungin Shoal, according to the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) on Sunday (22 July 2024).
In a statement, the DFA confirmed that both nations concurred that the agreement would not affect their respective positions in the South China Sea.
“The Philippines and the People’s Republic of China have reached an understanding on the provisional arrangement for the resupply of daily necessities and rotation missions to the BRP Sierra Madre in Ayungin Shoal,” the DFA said.
Both parties have emphasized the need to de-escalate tensions and manage differences through dialogue and consultation.
The specifics of the agreement have not yet been disclosed.
This agreement follows a series of consultations with China, including discussions at the 9th Bilateral Consultation Mechanism meeting on the South China Sea on July 2. It marks the first formal measure agreed upon by the two countries regarding Ayungin Shoal.
An unidentified Chinese Embassy official previously mentioned a “new model” with Manila, allowing an unhampered resupply mission to the BRP Sierra Madre, limited to one Philippine boat and one escort coast guard vessel.
Before this arrangement, the DFA stated that the Philippines had not entered into any agreements with China regarding the feature. Only President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. has the authority to approve or authorize deals related to the West Philippine Sea and the South China Sea.
No US Involvement
National Security Adviser Eduardo Año clarified that the RORE missions will remain purely Philippine operations, though he appreciated US support and the assurance of their ironclad commitment to the Mutual Defense Treaty (MDT).
“We appreciate the US support in all aspects, but there is no need for direct involvement of US forces in RORE missions at this time,” Año said.
National Security Council Assistant Director General Jonathan Malaya emphasized that the Philippine government would continue consulting the United States as a treaty ally but maintain RORE missions as a purely Philippine operation.
The officials’ statements followed White House National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan’s remarks that the US would support the Philippines to ensure the continuation of RORE missions.
“We will do what is necessary with the Philippines to see to it that [resupply missions] happen,” Sullivan said, affirming the US’s commitment to support the Philippines.
Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) spokesperson Col. Francel Margareth Padilla expressed appreciation for Sullivan’s support, highlighting the enduring partnership between the two nations and the importance of the MDT in protecting Philippine assets in Ayungin Shoal.
“The AFP is committed to the welfare and readiness of our personnel in strategic locations like Ayungin Shoal. We value the support of the US and like-minded countries in fostering a peaceful and secure region based on international law,” she said.
“We remain committed to peaceful resolutions and will continue working with the US and other partners to uphold regional stability and our sovereign rights in the West Philippine Sea.”
(el Amigo/mnm)
By Junex Doronio
MANILA — Days before the third State of the Nation Address (SONA) of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., a Social Weather Stations (SWS) survey has bared that 60 percent of Filipinos said that government action is sufficient regarding the conduct of joint patrols and military exercises with allied nations and partners in the West Philippine Sea.
Since the assumption of Marcos Jr as the country’s Chief Executive, the Philippines has renewed stronger ties with the United States and other democratic nations in stark contrast with the previous Duterte administration which was closer to China.
The SWS survey — commissioned by the think tank Stratbase ADR Institute — polled 1,500 respondents from June 23 to July 1.
It also showed that 72 percent of Filipinos agreed that the government should create an alliance with other countries to defend the Philippines’ rights in the West Philippine Sea.
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By Junex Doronio
MANILA — It seems that the proverbial Solomonic solution is needed to resolve the nagging issues between the Philippines and China.
What is this Solomonic solution?
No other than the joint energy exploration in the West Philippine Sea, according to some political pundits who requested anonymity.
China had reportedly agreed on a 60-40 sharing scheme in favor of the Philippines only if Manila will set aside the landmark Permanent Court of Arbitration (PCA) ruling on the South China Sea,
It has remained firm in disregarding the legality of the 2016 arbitral ruling that upheld the Philippines’ exclusive economic zone in the South China Sea, calling the verdict was “illegal” and “invalid.”
But the Supreme Court had declared the country’s 2005-signed tripartite agreement with China and Vietnam for energy exploration in the disputed South China Sea void and unconstitutional for “allowing wholly-owned foreign corporations to participate in the exploration of the country’s natural resources.”
Political pundits told Maharlika NuMedia that in order to prevent war — which is only big business for the western powers — a constitutional amendment that would allow joint exploration is imperative.
“The Philippine side clings onto this illegal, invalid arbitral award at the expense of its relations with China. By aligning itself with the US and some other Western countries on the South China Sea issue, the Philippines joined the small circle of the West ganging up against China,” the China Embassy statement read.
“To cling to this position and the arbitral award will get the Philippines nowhere but farther and farther away from the right path,” it added.
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By Junex Doronio
MANILA — Despite the bullying of China, the Philippines still wants a peaceful resolution in the West Philippine Sea.
“We don’t want war,” National Security Adviser (NSA) Eduardo Año emphasized on Friday (12 July 2024) when asked by reporters what to do with the aggressive actions of Chinese vessels in the WPS.
He pointed out that the Philippines rejects the “use of force” to undermine its interests in the WPS and has agreed with China to ease tensions in a contested shoal.
Año disclosed that efforts were underway to de-escalate tensions in the disputed waterway, where Manila and Beijing have accused each other of aggressive behavior involving their ships and of damaging the marine environment.
He said the way forward was to uphold the 2016 award and oppose efforts to undermine its significance.
“It is not and will never be a mere piece of paper,” he said, apparently chiding former President Rodrigo Roa Duterte who ignored the award as he sought closer ties with China.
(el Amigo/MNM)
By Liza Soriano
MANILA — Senator Risa Hontiveros has reiterated her call to declare July 12 as West Philippine Sea Victory Day to commemorate the country’s triumph against China regarding portions of the sea.
In 2016, the Permanent Court of Arbitration (PCA) ruled that China’s “nine-dash line” was contrary to the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), according to the resolution she filed.
The ruling also made clear that China had breached its obligations with respect to the Philippines’ sovereign rights over its Continental Shelf and Exclusive Economic Zone.
“We should celebrate WPS Victory Day every year, not just to remember our 2016 win, but also as a way to assert our just and rightful ownership of the WPS. This is also an opportune time to show our biggest aggressor, China, that the Philippines will stand as one in the fight for our sovereignty. Ipakita natin na hindi niya tayo mapagwawatak-watak,” Hontiveros said.
Hontiveros said that the 2016 victory showed the world that “a small country like the Philippines can legally, peacefully, and diplomatically stand up to a big, autocratic country like China.”
“But Beijing’s continued threats and intimidation despite the ruling are also a sober reminder to the world that all those who believe in the international, rules-based order must actively come together to safeguard peace and security across the globe,” she added.
Hontiveros also led the Senate in adopting Proposed Senate Resolution 718, which urged the Executive, through the Department of Foreign Affairs, to exhaust all diplomatic means – including going to the United Nations General Assembly – to stop China’s illegal activities in the WPS.
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By Junex Doronio
MANILA — In an effort to reduce tensions following the Philippines’ description of recent hostile actions by the China Coast Guard in the West Philippine Sea (WPS), maritime law expert Prof. Jay Batongbacal suggested on Sunday (June 23, 2024) that the Philippines considers expelling Chinese diplomats from Manila.
The maritime law expert pointed out that if China wants to start fresh, it should replace its Chinese representatives in the Philippines.
“We cannot speak to China through them because there is no trust concerning that staff,” Batongbacal said.
On Friday (21 June 2024), in a press briefing in Beijing, China’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs called on the Philippines to properly manage disputes through dialogue and consultation as soon as possible.
“We urge the Philippines to stop making provocations and infringing on China’s sovereignty at once, and return to the right track of properly managing disputes through dialogue and consultation as soon as possible,” Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson Lin Jian said.
But Batongbacal maintained that the current Chinese Embassy officials have not helped bring Manila-Beijing relations together and even contributed to the distrust and aggravated the issues.
“The defense attaché, the coast guard attaché — it’s their job to open the lines of communication and make sure that things like this don’t happen, and from there, we will proceed. I think it would only be proper kasi nga hindi naman puwedeng walang consequence ‘yong ginawa nila,” he explained.
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By Junex Doronio
MANILA — The Pentagon has condemned China’s aggressive action in the West Philippine Sea (WPS) where a Filipino soldier was reportedly severely hurt, warning that it could result in more violence.
“This kind of behavior is provocative, it’s reckless, it’s unnecessary, and it could lead to something bigger and more violent. So we will continue to stand with our Philippine allies,” said Pentagon Press Secretary Pat Ryder in a press briefing.
The Pentagon refers to the Department of Defense of the United States of America.
The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) on Tuesday (18 June 2024) confirmed that a Philippine Navy (PN) service member suffered “severe injury” following a collision between a Chinese ship and a Philippine vessel performing rotation and resupply mission in Ayungin Shoal in the WPS.
AFP Public Affairs Office chief Colonel Xerxes Trinidad disclosed that the injured PN service member was safely evacuated and received prompt medical treatment after the China Coast Guard’s (CCG) “intentional high-speed ramming,” which took place Monday (17 June 2024).
“We condemn the escalatory and irresponsible action by the PRC (People’s Republic of China) to deny the Philippines from executing a lawful maritime operation in the South China Sea,” Ryder declared.
He also echoed the earlier statement of US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin that “the Philippine maritime claims must be protected.”
Ryder stressed that the US will continue to support the Philippines.
He added that the Pentagon is closely monitoring the situation in the region.
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By Junex Doronio
MANILA — Aside from China, Vietnam is also causing headaches for the Philippines, as the Philippine Navy (PN) said on Monday (10 June 2024) it is monitoring Vietnam’s dredging and landfill work within the Kalayaan Island Group.
PN spokesperson for the West Philippine Sea (WPS) Commodore Roy Vincent Trinidad disclosed that the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) is also taking action.
“Nakatutok naman tayo doon [we’re monitoring that], but I believe the more appropriate agency to give the details of that would be DFA. May action naman ang DFA doon [the DFA is doing actions regarding that],” Trinidad said in a Super Radyo dzBB interview.
These territories are being claimed by Manila which maintains these are part of the Kalayaan Island Group.
Vietnam has been conducting dredging operations of reefs it occupies in the South China Sea.
It was learned that Vietnam has been able to reclaim a total of 692 acres or 280 hectares in the last six months.
(el Amigo/MNM)
By Junex Doronio
MANILA — Calling the acts “barbaric” and “inhumane behavior”, Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) spokesperson for the West Philippine Sea (WPS) Commodore Jay Tarriela on Friday (07 June 2024) revealed with matching videos that China Coast Guard (CCG) vessels and boats had blocked and rammed Philippine boats performing medical evacuation in the contested waters.
“Despite informing the Chinese Coast Guard via radio and public address system about the humanitarian nature of our mission for medical evacuation, they still engaged in dangerous maneuvers and even intentionally rammed the Philippine Navy Rigid Hull Inflatable Boat,” Tarriela said in a statement.
Although the incident took place on May 19, the PCG released videos of it only on Friday (07 June 2024).
The PCG noted two China Coast Guard vessels 21551 and 21555, two small boats, and two rubber boats during the medical evacuation.
There was no comment from the Chinese Embassy in Manila as of posting time.
Tarriela said the PCG and Philippine Navy successfully outmaneuvered the foreign boats and vessels and completed the medical evacuation of the sick Filipinos to Buliluyan Port.
He disclosed that the sick individual was a member of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) who was deployed at BRP (Barko ng Republika ng Pilipinas) Sierra Madre, a Second World War-era ship that was deliberately grounded in 1999 in Ayungin Shoal during the administration of then President Joseph “Erap” Estrada.
“At 1515H on 19 May 2024, the sick AFP personnel was transported to the nearest hospital and received immediate medical attention,” Tarriela said.
Meanwhile, Sweden’s defense minister Pal Jonson has denounced the series of dangerous maneuvers against Philippine vessels in the West Philippine Sea.
He said such acts put human lives at risk and undermine regional peace and security.
Speaking before Sweden’s National Day reception Thursday (6 June 2024) night, Jonson, who was in Manila for an official visit where he met Philippine counterpart Gilberto Teodoro and other officials to bolster bilateral defense and security ties, said such actions are a threat to global security, stressing that safety at sea “must be respected at all times.”
It can be recalled that in 2016, an international arbitration tribunal in the Hague said China’s claim over the West Philippine Sea has no legal basis, but Beijing refused to honor the decision until today.
(el Amigo/MNM)
By Junex Doronio
MANILA — Barely 10 days before China will arrest “trespassers” in its imagined territory by its nine-dash line, the Philippine Navy reported on Wednesday (05 June 2024) an increase in the number of China’s People’s Liberation Army Navy (PLAN) vessels in the West Philippine Sea (WPS).
It was gathered that in total, 125 vessels were monitored in Philippine-occupied features in the WPS from May 28 to June 3.
These reportedly include nine (9) China Coast Guard vessels, 11 PLAN vessels, and 105 Chinese maritime militia vessels.
But the Philippine military remained unperturbed.
On Tuesday (4 June 2024), the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) disclosed that the United States Coast Guard (USCG) has promised to send “assets” to the South China Sea to support Manila in upholding sovereign rights in its exclusive economic zone (EEZ).
In a statement, the PCG said the USCG will deploy its North Pacific Coast Guard following the proposal of Admiral Ronnie Gil Gavan for a “greater deployment” in high seas “to address the forthcoming threat”.
This “threat” was China’s enforcement of its new regulation of detaining supposed trespassers in what it considers its maritime boundaries under its “imagined” nine-dash line.
Gavan proposed not only to the USCG but also to the Japan Coast Guard (JCG) during the International Institute for Strategic Studies Shangri-La Dialogue in Singapore.
“I’d like to propose greater deployment in the high seas. We will do our part, but we also need you to be there to maintain rules-based order the way Coast Guards should play their role,” the PCG official said.
“We know our limits, but we know we can do something to give time for our political leaders to do their part to keep the West Philippine Sea as free as it should be,” Gavan noted.
For her part, USCG Commandant Admiral Linda Fagan confirmed her meeting with Gavan, as well as with JCG Vice Admiral Seguchi Yoshio, in Singapore.
She observed the “increasingly central geopolitical role” the maritime law enforcement agencies play in the Asia-Pacific region.
“They must demonstrate professional behavior at sea to support good maritime governance, which is critical to global economic prosperity and security Malign activities such as human and drug trafficking, cyber-attacks, and illegal, unreported, and unregulated fishing drive instability and threaten the rules-based international order,” the USCG Commandant said in a separate statement.
According to the PCG, the JCG proposed the conduct of more personnel exchanges to create a robust network of Coast Guard counterparts in pursuit of maritime law enforcement and the rule of law.
“Rest assured that the PCG is doing its share in the alliance we nurture. We are grateful for the new opportunities to further strengthen our ranks and fulfill our roles in the most unique way to address current challenges,” Gavan declared.
(el Amigo/mnm)
By Junex Doronio
MANILA — Despite the outpouring of support of several countries, including the United States, Japan and Australia for the Philippines in its lawful claim on the West Philippine Sea (WPS), China’s defense minister Dong Jun on Sunday (02 June 2024) warned of “limits” to Beijing’s restraint on the South China Sea.
China has issued new rules effective June 15 this year that would enforce a 2021 coast guard law and allow detention of foreigners suspected of “trespassing”.
“China has maintained sufficient restraint in the face of rights infringements and provocation, but there are limits to this,” Dong said before the Shangri-La Dialogue, which is attended by defense officials from around the world.
For years, China claims almost the entire South China Sea, which includes the WPS, ignoring an international ruling that its claims have no legal basis, and continually invoking the “mythical” nine-dash line.
“I do not intend to yield,” President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. said in reaction. “Filipinos do not yield”.
He noted that China’s plan to detain foreigners trespassing in the South China Sea is an escalation of the tension in the region.
“Illegal, coercive, aggressive and deceptive actions continue to violate our sovereignty, sovereign rights and jurisdictions,” Marcos Jr earlier said.
Meanwhile, Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) chief Romeo Brawner Jr. on Friday (31 May 2024) disclosed that the Philippine government is monitoring the deployment of bigger ships in the West Philippine Sea.
To recall, China Coast Guard 5901 known as “The Monster,” the largest coast guard ship in the world, conducted a “brief intrusive patrol” near Scarborough Shoal.
The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) maintained that Scarborough Shoal, also called Bajo de Masinloc or Panatag Shoal, is located within the Philippines’ exclusive economic zone (EEZ).
(el Amigo/mnm)
MANILA – The killing of a Filipino in the West Philippine Sea (WPS) amid escalating tensions would be very close to an “act of war,” President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. stated emphatically.
During the question-and-answer session of the 21st International Institute for Strategic Studies (IISS) Shangri-La Dialogue in Singapore on Friday (31 May 2024), Marcos highlighted that the Philippine government would respond decisively if tensions in the disputed waters and China’s aggressive actions, such as the use of water cannons, lead to the death of a Filipino citizen.
“What would happen if there was an incident that ended up killing a Filipino serviceman, be it a Coast Guard or in the military and part of the Navy? Well, that would be – that would certainly increase the level of response, and if a willful act results in the death of a Filipino, not only a serviceman but even a civilian, that is very, very close to what we define as an act of war. We will respond accordingly,” he asserted.
Marcos made these remarks when asked what actions would prompt the Philippine government to invoke the decades-old Mutual Defense Treaty with the United States.
He noted that such incidents would heighten the response not only from the Philippine government but also from its “treaty partners.”
“We already have suffered injuries, but thank God, we have not yet reached the point where any of our participants, civilian or otherwise, have been killed,” the President said. “But once we reach that point, we would have crossed the Rubicon. Is that a red line? Almost certainly.”
PH Boosting Military Capability for Defense and Peace
Addressing his vision for the Philippines’ military posture by the end of his term, Marcos stated that the country is enhancing its defense capabilities to safeguard its sovereignty and territory against any foreign aggression. He mentioned the ongoing efforts to find suppliers for the country’s modernization program, Horizon 3.
“We hope these actions serve as a deterrence and work towards peace. This long-term plan of increasing the capabilities of our military and civilians, such as the Coast Guard, has been ongoing for many years now,” he said.
Marcos also emphasized in his keynote address that the country remains committed to diplomacy. “The Philippines remains committed to peace, which is the foundation of our constitutional order. We are dedicated to addressing and managing difficult issues through dialogue and diplomacy,” he added.
Commitment to Sovereignty and International Law
Marcos made history as the first Philippine leader to deliver a keynote address at the IISS Shangri-La Dialogue, the leading defense and security conference in the Asia-Pacific region. He reiterated his unwavering stance on the nation’s sovereign rights and jurisdiction over the WPS in his speech.
“In this solid footing and through our clear moral ascendancy, we find the strength to do whatever it takes to protect our sovereign home – to the last square inch, to the last square millimeter. The life-giving waters of the West Philippine Sea flow in the blood of every Filipino,” Marcos declared. “We cannot allow anyone to detach it from the totality of the maritime domain that renders our nation whole. As President, I have sworn to this solemn commitment from the very first day that I took office. I do not intend to yield. Filipinos do not yield.”
Marcos also stressed that any action in the South China Sea must conform to the international order. “Any effort to resolve maritime differences in the East China Sea and the South China Sea must be anchored on international law, particularly UNCLOS. We must accord due regard to the legitimate interests of all parties and respect legally-settled rights,” he said.
He was referring to the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), or “The Law of the Sea Convention,” which serves as the basis for the Philippines in implementing laws concerning the WPS.
The dialogue was attended by Singapore’s officials, including President Tharman Shanmugaratnam, Prime Minister Lawrence Wong, and Senior Minister Lee Hsien Loong, along with IISS Executive Chairman Sir John Chipman and government officials from the Philippines and other countries worldwide.
(Rep. by el Amigo/With reports from PNA)