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Ch nearly triples number of ships in WPS
By J.Lo
“Those flares simply flared up sense of patriotism in every member of the Armed Forces of the Philippines…we will not be deterred from continuing to perform our mandate of securing integrity of national territory,” Philippine Navy spokesman for West Philippine Sea (WPS) Rear Admiral Roy Vincent Trinidad, said China has almost tripled number of its military vessels in West Philippine Sea (WPS), with nine People’s Liberation Army Navy (PLAN) ships spotted in the area from only three in the past few days.
Three of the PLAN vessels were seen in the vicinity of Escoda (Sabina) Shoal, two in the area of Pagasa Island and one each around Ayungin Shoal, Likas Island, Patag Island and the Del Pilar (Iroquois) Reef.
Number of maritime militia vessels, meanwhile, went down from 106 during period of July 30 to Aug. 5 to only 68 between Aug. 6 and 12.
Philippine Navy also said number of China Coast Guard (CCG) boats in WPS went up to 13 during same period.
Five of China coast guard vessels were spotted near Ayungin Shoal, three in Panatag Shoal, three others in the Sabina Shoal and two in the vicinity of Pagasa Island.
Overall, Philippine Navy said total number of Chinese vessels in various parts of the WPS actually decreased from 122 to 92.
They now also include two research vessels sighted roaming waters of Ayungin Shoal where grounded BRP Sierra Madre remains, and in the vicinity of Patag Island.
Meanwhile, Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) will not be cowed by heightened Chinese aggression in Philippine waters, like last earlier incident when Chinese jets dropped flares in the path of Philippine Air Force plane on patrol over Panatag Shoal.
“Recent incident by Peoples Liberation Army Air Force (PLAAF) will not deter our pilots from performing their mandate of conducting maritime air surveillance flights,” he stressed.
Department of Foreign Affairs spokesperson Ma. Teresita Daza confirmed filing of diplomatic protest over incident.
Without giving details, Daza said “Philippines adopts de-escalatory approach to tensions in West Philippine Sea” and “remains committed to diplomacy and peaceful means of resolving disputes.”
Trinidad said actions of two Chinese jets were uncalled for, unprofessional and unsafe and in total disregard of international law.
“Broad picture is that whether on sea or in air these actions are all illegal, they are coercive, aggressive and deceptive…no place in international arena governed by international law…our pilots have necessary training, they follow rules of engagements for every contingency and they are confident in their capabilities, we are good with what we have,” but “given more we can perform even better…in addressing situations like this, it is not matching aircraft for aircraft or ship for ship…what is most important here is will to fight, the will to perform our mandate in spite of all these challenges” he said.
Trinidad admitted military has full confidence in Department of National Defense’s pursuit of program to modernize AFP, specifically through acquisition of more multi-role fighter jets.
Asked if military is considering use of combat aircraft in WPS air patrols, he said “these are part of challenges your airmen, your pilots face in increasing complexity of international arena.”
Meanwhile, Brig. Gen. Aldrin Anani, Western Mindanao Command (Westmincom) deputy chief for external defense, said US military was providing assistance through flight surveillance in detecting intrusion of foreign vessels, including Chinese naval ships.
He said US Special Operations Task Force 511.2 conducted unmanned and manned air surveillance mission to assist Philippine military in securing country’s territorial waters.
“From last report, they’re flying like 12 hours day to perform their mission here, both for manned and unmanned aircraft…they may have no vessels available here but their presence up in the air is very crucial in accomplishing action,” Anani said at briefing Tuesday at Westmincom headquarters in Zamboanga City.
He said US-led air surveillance helped them detect recently passing of Chinese navy ships, prompting Naval Forces Western Mindanao patrol ships to conduct radio challenge, tail and escort them out.
“Actually, they were ones who reported to us movement of these naval ships coming from China… first to monitor through their sophisticated equipment and they relayed it to us…and with that, it has been very crucial in monitoring movement of ships,” Anani said.
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