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Warship deployment in WPS up to FMJ
By J.Lo
“The President himself has full authority to decide on this but as far as PCG is concerned, we are going to support whatever decision AFP ,Armed Forces of the Philippines and our commander-in-chief will carry out,” Commodore Jay Tarriela, PCG spokesman for West Philippine Sea issue, said at news forum when asked if there is now need for deployment of Philippine Navy ships in the country’s territorial waters to counter China’s hostile moves at sea, usually targeting vessels from PCG and Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources.
It’s up to President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.to decide if he would allow deployment of warships in West Philippine Sea as foil to China’s growing aggressiveness in asserting its illegal territorial claim.
Tarriela sees no problem with use of gray ships, but clarified he is not making recommendation.
“All I am saying is that in terms of reciprocity, that can be policy option that can be carried out,” he said.
He maintained that as earlier pointed out by Marcos, Philippines is peace-loving nation that will never instigate war, especially with its neighbors.
He said it is up to AFP to bring up policy recommendations to Marcos, who as President is commander-in-chief of country’s armed forces.
Tarriela declined to discuss in detail PCG’s next move in the face of latest incident in West Philippine Sea last Wednesday when China coast guard and naval ships fired water cannons and rammed PCG and BFAR vessels in the vicinity of Panatag Shoal or Bajo de Masinloc.
Incident prompted Philippine authorities to file another diplomatic protest against Beijing.
He said that while Philippine Navy ships regularly conduct monitoring activities in the area, they don’t interfere in operations of Chinese vessels even if they are harassing Filipinos. “They don’t interfere with harassment of Chinese Coast Guard, Chinese Maritime Militia against Filipino fishermen and PCG and BFAR,” Tarriela pointed out.
Last time Philippine warship faced off with Chinese vessels was in 2012 in Panatag Shoal, when it tried to stop Chinese poachers from escaping with their loot of giant clams, baby sharks and endangered marine resources.
Standoff ensued when Chinese navy ship intervened to help poachers escape. Chinese have since maintained permanent presence in the shoal in violation of “gentleman’s agreement” both parties would leave area to end impasse.
Chinese ruse prompted administration of then president Benigno Aquino III to contest in 2013 China’s claim over Panatag Shoal and other land features within Philippine territorial waters before Permanent Court of Arbitration based in The Hague.
Arbitral court ruled in favor of Manila in July 2016 by invalidating China’s expansive claim and reaffirming Philippines’ own maritime entitlements.
Since Panatag standoff, Philippines has been deploying only civilian vessels from PCG and BFAR for patrol missions in West Philippine Sea in order not to escalate tensions.
“We were victim of Chinese propaganda that we are militarizing dispute,” Tarriela said.
On Friday, Philippines completed joint air and naval exercises with US and Japan in West Philippine Sea, without interference or disruption from Chinese.
AFP said this year’s 5th Multilateral Maritime Cooperative Activity (MMCA) was completed successfully inside country’s exclusive economic zone under territorial jurisdiction of military’s Northern Luzon Command.
“None were monitored,” said Rear Admiral Roy Vincent Trinidad, Philippine Navy spokesman for WPS, when asked if any Chinese military and coast guard vessels were spotted during combined naval exercises.
The 5th MMCA came on heels of last Wednesday’s incident near Panatag Shoal involving Chinese warships and smaller PCG and BFAR vessels.
Col. Xerxes Trinidad, AFP public affairs office chief, said Philippine Navy’s BRP Andres Bonifacio and C-90 aircraft, Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force’s Murasame-class destroyer JS Samidare and US Navy’s P-8A Poseidon from Patrol Squadron 47 participated in combined naval exercises.
He said activities included communications checks, subject matter expert exchange, pre-sail conference, photo exercise and division tactics, all showcased “enhanced interoperability and shared commitment to maintaining regional peace and stability.”
“Activity underscored collective commitment of three nations to strengthen regional and international cooperation in support of free and open Indo-Pacific,” Trinidad added.
Building on previous MMCAs and ongoing collaborative operations, AFP said exercise enhanced interoperability of defense doctrines, tactics, techniques and procedures among participating forces.
“Conducted in full compliance with international law, MMCA emphasized respect for safety of navigation and maritime rights of all states,” Trinidad said.
He explained 5th MMCA included range of coordinated operations designed to enhance interoperability and strengthen maritime capabilities.
“These drills emphasized collaborative defense strategies and reinforced commitment of participating forces to maintain regional security and stability, MMCA reaffirms partner nations’ dedication to working closely together to maintain security and stability in the region, promoting rules-based maritime order and enhancing regional cooperation,” he said.
Meanwhile, China has branded US and other countries that have voiced support for Philippines as “troublemakers.”
Spokesperson for Chinese embassy particularly slammed US Ambassador Marykay Carlson for allegedly making groundless accusations.
“United States and those allies are not parties to the issue of South China Sea and have no right to interfere in maritime disputes between China and the Philippines,” Chinese embassy said earlier.
“We urge these countries to earnestly respect China’s territorial sovereignty and maritime rights and interests in the South China Sea, stop sowing discord and adding fuel to fire and stop being troublemakers for peace and stability in South China Sea,” Chinese embassy also said in statement.
It said Carlson “overlooked basic facts and made groundless accusations against China’s legitimate measures for protecting its territorial sovereignty and maritime rights and interests.”
“We firmly oppose and condemn her accusation,” it added.
“Huangyan Dao has always been China’s territory,” embassy spokesman said, referring to name assigned by Beijing for Panatag Shoal. “On Dec. 4, ignoring multiple warnings from China, Philippines sent Coast Guard and official vessels there in attempt to intrude into China’s territorial sea surrounding Huangyan Dao,” embassy claimed.
“China took necessary actions in response to protect our territorial sovereignty and maritime rights and interests in accordance with law… measures are justified, lawful, professional and restrained… China has also released on-site video,” statement said.
“PRC’s unlawful use of water cannons and dangerous maneuvers disrupted Philippine maritime operation on Dec. 4, putting lives at risk…we condemn these actions and stand with our likeminded Friends, Partners, Allies in support of Free and Open Indo-Pacific,” Carlson said in post on X.
Japan, the United Kingdom, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Australia, Sweden, France, Canada, Germany, Finland and Norway also issued statements expressing serious concern over the latest incident.
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