NOBLE CAUSE The political group Akbayan prepares for its participation in another civilian mission to the West Philippine Sea at its headquarters in Quezon City on Monday (May 13, 2024). Various groups under the project "WPS, Atin Ito!" will travel to Panatag Shoal (Bajo de Masinloc) on May 14 to 17 to deliver supplies to Filipino fishers. PNA
The National Security Council (NSC) on Monday called on China to allow the civilian group 'Atin Ito Coalition' to carry out its "peace and solidarity regatta" to the Bajo de Masinloc (also known as Scarborough Shoal) in the West Philippine Sea.
NSC Assistant Director General Jonathan Malaya made the call after reports said a huge number of Chinese Coast Guard ships and their maritime militia are now gathering at the convoy's possible routes.
"(Ang) pakiusap na lang natin sa People's Republic of China ay igalang nila ang paglalayag nitong mga barkong ito kasi they are civilian, they are not in anyway connected to the government. Civilian po itong mga ito and kilala ko ang mga ito, itong personalidad na ito sa bansa, they can check and recheck, they know na these are civilian vessels napupunta dyan sa Bajo De Masinloc (The only thing we are asking the People's Republic of China is that they respect these ships are they are civilians and not in anyway connected to the government. The people aboard them are also civilians and well known personalities in the country. They can check and recheck, and they will know that these are only civilian ships heading towards Bajo De Masinloc)," Malaya said in a Bagong Pilipinas Ngayon briefing.
The "Atin Ito Coalition '' convoy is expected to sail from May 14 to 17 with its mission of deploying markers and buoys in the vital waterway aside from giving provisions and fuel to Filipino fisherfolk plying the area.
Two ships and around 100 bancas are expected to join the activity.
Meanwhile, Malaya said the decision to cancel the trip or voyage depends on the organizers of the event.
He said the convoy's organizers have coordinated with the Philippine Coast Guard for all possible contingencies.
He said it would "not look good" for China to interfere with the civilian mission.
"Sana igalang ng Tsina yung ganitong klaseng, ng nature nitong civilian mission na ito at sana wag naman nila gawin kung ano man yung pinaplano nila (I hope China respects this kind of civilian mission and they do not push through with what they are planning)," he added.
He urged Filipinos to pray for the success of this mission.
Chinese sightings on Sabina Shoal
Last Saturday, the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) said it would maintain a “prolonged presence” in Escoda Shoal, commonly known as Sabina Shoal, following the sightings of Chinese vessels and the discovery of dumped crushed corals in the feature.
The PCG, under the instruction of PCG Commandant Admiral Ronnie Gavan, deployed BRP Teresa Magbanua on April 15 after receiving an intelligence report that the Chinese were conducting unauthorized marine research in the feature.
PCG spokesperson for the West Philippine Sea, Commodore Jay Tarriela, said this is the PCG’s “longest” deployment on record in the West Philippine Sea, with BRP Cabra and BRP Malabrigo also conducting rotational deployment from the shoal to Rozul Reef.
In its initial dives to assess the shoal, Tarriela said, the PCG found that some of its sand bars have expanded in size due to the dumped corals.
“Ngayon, mino-monitor natin extensively ang movement ng Chinese research vessels. Itong tatlong Chinese research vessels na ito, mayroon silang parang mother boat na pinakamalaking research vessel na nandito sa Sabina Shoal at mayroong dalawang maliit pa (At present, we are extensively monitoring the movement of the Chinese research vessels. They have three – the mother boat, which is the biggest and stationed in Sabina Shoal, and two smaller ones),” he said.
The two research vessels, he said, circle the entire feature and deploy the service boats that ferry different types of instruments and divers to the seabed.
“We are thinking that they are actually measuring something here in Escoda Shoal, and they have been providing the data to the mother boats,” Tarriela said.
Throughout BRP Teresa Magbanua’s stay, the PCG also spotted People’s Liberation Army (PLA) Navy vessels with bow numbers 622, 537, and 570, as well as a PLA Navy helicopter loitering in the area.
Also sighted were Chinese Coast Guard vessels 4402, 21555, 21556, and 3303, alongside more than 30 other Chinese maritime militia vessels monitoring the PCG’s movement.
“These are the same vessels that they are deploying in Ayungin Shoal, but again, let me stress the fact that Ayungin Shoal ay mas malayo pa sa Sabina Shoal, yet these vessels are getting nearer sa atin at nagpapalagi na sila ngayon sa Sabina Shoal (Ayungin Shoal is farther than Sabina Shoal, yet, these vessels are getting nearer to us and are actually there now in Sabina Shoal)” Tarriela said.
Sabina Shoal is about 75 nautical miles away from mainland Palawan and is situated well within the country’s 200-nautical-mile exclusive economic zone (EEZ).
Tarriela explained that the PCG could technically take into custody these researchers for conducting unauthorized activities within the country’s waters but is unable to do so due to incessant interference from the Chinese Coast Guard.
PH Navy to pursue modernization
The Philippine Navy (PN) is bent on pursuing its modernization programs to better protect the country's vast maritime domains.
"We shall continue our strides to modernize, cooperate with agencies, collaborate with like-minded partners, and recalibrate our response relative to the developments in our security environment. All these actions are tantamount to our relentless commitment to protect our seas and secure our citizens' future now and in the years to come," PN chief Vice Admiral Toribio Adaci Jr. said in a statement Sunday.
The Navy chief's remarks came after the successful "Balikatan" military exercises where its frigate, BRP Jose Rizal (FF-150), fired its C-Star anti-ship cruise missile for the first time.
In the May 8 maritime strike exercise off Laoag waters, the BRP Jose Rizal fired its C-Star missile along with the NLOS (non-line of sight) surface-to-surface missiles of its fast-attack interdiction craft at a decommissioned naval tanker which eventually sank after being repeatedly hit by Filipino and American aircraft.
Under the ongoing modernization program, the Navy is expected to receive two brand-new guided missile corvettes and six offshore patrol vessels from South Korean defense contractor HD Hyundai Heavy Industries, and two landing dock platforms from Indonesian shipbuilder PT PAL within the next two to three years.
Three batteries of the Indian-made Brahmos anti-ship missiles are also expected to be commissioned anytime soon.
The PN is also expected to acquire additional brand-new anti-submarine helicopters to beef up the capabilities of the soon-to-be-delivered guided missile corvettes.
Last May 8, the PN, through its Office of the Naval Strategic Studies and Strategy Management (ONSSSM), conducted the Maritime Security Symposium (MSS) 2024 at the Novotel Manila Araneta, Quezon City.
Focusing on a paradigm shift with the theme, “Turning the Tides in the West Philippine Sea: Towards a Comprehensive Archipelagic Security,” the symposium was attended by a panel of experts and leaders who shared different perspectives and insights on maritime issues and concerns, especially the West Philippine Sea.
The MSS, a part of the PN's pre-anniversary activities, is an annual gathering that provides a platform for dialogues and discussions on maritime security-related concepts involving maritime sector stakeholders in pursuit of a safe and secure maritime environment.
The PN was founded on May 20, 1898. PNA
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