EDITORIAL
Both the spokespersons of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) and the Philippine Navy (PN) have been emphatic lately in their pronouncements reacting to China’s recent announcement of a unilateral fishing ban in the South China Sea that intrudes on the Philippines’ maritime zones.
"For the part of the AFP, we are continuing, of course with our regular activities in the area, continuously po tayo nagpapatrol sa ating dagat ang ating Philippine Navy (PN) po, lagi po silang nag-iikot, (we will continuously patrol our waters, our PN, they are always there), conducting patrols, as well as our Philippine Air Force, so we also have maritime patrols," AFP spokesperson Col. Francel Margareth Padilla said in a Bagong Pilipinas Ngayon briefing, when asked on the military's response to Beijing's moves.
These actions are in coordination with the Philippine Coast Guard and Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources, she added.
China's unilateral fishing ban in WPS set from May 1 to Sept. 16 includes the Bajo de Masinloc (also known as Scarborough Shoal), a traditional fishing ground of Filipino fisherfolk and is only 124 nautical miles away from Masinloc town in Zambales. The area covered by the fishing moratorium, according to the Chinese authorities, is north of the 12 degrees north latitude.
A top Navy official said the Philippine Navy (PN) will not be deterred in carrying out its mandate by China's unilateral fishing ban that includes maritime zones where the Philippines has sovereignty and jurisdiction.
"The PN does not recognize this provocative statement nor will we be deterred in performing our mandate of securing the welfare of Filipinos wherever he/she is - on land or on sea," PN spokesperson for the West Philippine Sea (WPS) Commodore Roy Vincent Trinidad said in a message to reporters.
"Overall, (our) patrols have been increased in the entire WPS, to include BdM (Bajo de Masinloc), and our northern islands," he added.
Trinidad said this increase in patrols took effect shortly after President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.'s announcement that the country would be shifting from internal security operations to external defense. For her part, Padilla said these actions by the AFP are guided by the Constitution and the principles of national sovereignty.
"(It is) underscored that no foreign entity has the authority to impede the Philippines from exercising our sovereign rights in our exclusive economic zone," she added.
Despite these challenges, Padilla said the AFP is committed to defending the country's sovereignty and protecting its interests in the region.
To bolster this, she added that the Philippines is looking to have more cooperation with like-minded nations and utilize the whole of government approach in addressing this particular issue.
"Katuwang yan ng atin determinasyon na alagaan ang ating teritoryo dito po sa atin karagatan, at tiyakin ang kaligtasan ng ating mga mangingisda na Pilipino (this is inline our determination to protect our maritime territory and ensure the safety of Filipino fishermen)," Padilla said.
The AFP official also said they have contingency plans in place should China ramp up its "illegal, coercive, aggressive, and deceptive" activities.
All these posturings have official sanction with the announcement recently by Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr. that the Armed Forces of the Philippines will be adopting the Comprehensive Archipelagic Defense Concept to further protect the country's vast territories, including its exclusive economic zone, along with its interest.
With its ramped up patrols, the Philippine Navy reported that 122 assorted Chinese ships were spotted in eight West Philippine Sea features from May 21 to 27.
These vessels were detected and broken down into the following locations: Bajo de Masinloc, five China Coast Guard Vessels (CCGVs) and 14 Chinese Maritime Militia Vessels (CMMVs); Ayungin Shoal, five CCGVs and 17 CMMVs; Pagasa Island, one CCGV, one People's Liberation Navy (PLAN) ship, and 34 CMMVs; Kota Island, one CMMV; Lawak Island, one CMMV; Panata Island, three CMMVs; Patag Island, two CCGVs and two CMMVs; Sabina Shoal, two CCGVs, four PLAN, and 30 CMMVs. Meanwhile, no Chinese ships were spotted in the vicinity of Parola and Likas Islands and Julian Felipe Reef.
Efforts by both the PN and the Philippine Coast Guard to safeguard our traditional fishing grounds in the SCS deserve the support of all Filipinos.
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