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Ph, US national security brass discuss sea row
By J.Lo
“This is pretty typical of China…whenever they try to block Philippines’ movement… Philippines tries to get around ship and when ships collide, they blame Philippines…what possible motivation would Philippines have going out and running out into Chinese ship?” International maritime security expert Ray Powell asked top security officials of Philippines and United States have expressed grave concern over China’s continuing and latest acts of aggression in West Philippine Sea (WPS).
National Security Adviser Eduardo Año and US National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan spoke by phone to exchange information on current maritime security situation in the region and how both can work together in addressing this.
National Security Council (NSC) “particularly raised grave concerns on recent illegal, aggressive and dangerous actions of China’s People’s Liberation Army-Air Force against Philippine Air Force aircraft conducting routine maritime security operation over Bajo de Masinloc.”
Both also discussed how China Coast Guard (CCG) vessels harassed and rammed Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) ships in the area of Escoda (Sabina) Shoal while en route to Patag Island and Lawak Island.
NSC said both security advisers look forward to implementation of strategic priorities to accelerate Philippines’ capability development and to continuously modernize alliance.
Sullivan also lauded recently concluded inaugural Philippines-Vietnam joint coast guard exercise and Manila’s efforts to expand conduct of maritime cooperative activities with like-minded countries in the region and beyond.
Following Monday’s ramming incident damaged PCG vessel, Armed Forces of the Philippines has committed to increase its presence and aerial and naval patrol operations in WPS.
Military gave assurance it will not be deterred and will continue to defend and secure country’s rights and sovereignty within its exclusive economic zone.
Powell accused China of gaslighting Philippines over disputed WPS.
Powell said China is maintaining its “typical” behavior of blaming the country whenever incident caused by CCG’s unlawful and aggressive maneuvers occurred in WPS.
China has issued false narrative about incident on Monday, pinning blame on PCG’s vessels.
“It’s what the term gaslighting is… trying to refute your reality, it is introducing its completely contrary and clearly false idea…and trying to see if they can get you and others to believe them,” Powell stressed.
Powell said compared to Ayungin Shoal, China will have difficulties in controlling Escoda Shoal.
“It takes number of ships…controlling Sabina Shoal is really hard…. much larger feature and you can’t have just one entrance like in Ayungin Shoal,and, of course, it is much closer to Philippines for they have to go further away from their base Mischief (Panganiban) Reef. And, of course, unlike BRP Sierra Madre Philippine ship in Sabina Shoal can move,tactically for China, it’s harder problem…they are not gonna defend this very, very large feature…and if Teresa Magbanua wanted to move to different parts of the shoal they can do it today,”Powell said.
He said China is engaged in “grey zone battle” in its serious efforts to take over WPS, merely based on its nine-dash line.
“China’s sovereignty claims over all these are very ambiguous…sometimes, they will say that all of the nine-dash line belongs to China…but then sometimes they will say we don’t claim sovereignty over everything, it just that specific places…and so really, whatever they decide is theirs, it is moving of battle lines and, this is grey zone…and battle lines had been drawn before at Ayungin Shoal and they have now moved closer to Palawan,” Powell said.
Senate Majority Leader Francis Tolentino reiterated his call for Philippine government to convene NSC after the incident in Escoda Shoal.
“I reiterate my plea to the President to convene NSC because what happened was aggravated action… convening of NSC will allow country to formulate more focused response, we can get the opinion of Coast Guard, Philippine Navy and DFA ,Department of Foreign Affairs…incident involves] one of the highest forms of aggravated maritime intentional allision and collision,” Tolentino said.
He further said incident puts into question sincerity and seriousness of China in Bilateral Consultative Meeting mechanism with Philippines.
“China must show its sincerity in negotiating with Philippines…we just concluded talks on Ayungin Shoal, and this happened,” lamented Tolentino, who has strongly advocated for multilateral mechanisms to resolve issues between Philippines and China… “ rhetoric must stop…we should file necessary cases.”
Tolentino also said Philippines must demand compensation from China for damage sustained by two PCG patrol vessels after being rammed by CCG in the vicinity of Escoda Shoal.
“Philippines should also file claim for damages…under Part 15 of UNCLOS,United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, owner of the ship, whether state-owned or private, can be held accountable for what happened,” he added.
Tolentino intends to bring up during budget hearing of the Office of the Solicitor General and Department of Justice his proposal for creation of specialized team of lawyers that will handle maritime cases.
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