The government will not be deterred by China in protecting Filipino fishermen in the West Philippine Sea (WPS), according to the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG).
It will continue carrying out a whole-of-government approach in addressing WPS issues, a PCG official said on Saturday.
“Gaya po nang sinabi ni ADG (National Security Council Assistant Director General) Jonathan Malaya, ang atin pong Philippine Coast Guard, the Bureau of Fisheries at the whole-of-government approach ng [ating gobyerno] under President Bongbong Marcos will be not be deterred,” PCG Commodore and spokesman Jay Tarriela said in a news forum in Quezon City.
“We’re still going to deploy our assets in the West Philippine Sea at patuloy nating titindigan ang ating posisyon sa West Philippine Sea,” Tariella added.
Despite its very limited resources, the PCG remains committed to protecting Filipino fishermen in WPS, the official said.
Tariella said the PCG adheres to President Marcos’ stance that the Philippines is a peace-loving nation and not a war instigator.
Therefore, he said, the government will maintain the presence of white ships in WPS instead of sending warships.
According to the PCG spokesperson, the People’s Liberation Army (PLA) Navy is now becoming part of China’s strategy in asserting its position in WPS.
While China’s deployment of warships can be considered as a reciprocal act, Tarriela said the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) could come up with policy recommendations to strengthen the country’s stance in WPS.
“So, it’s up to the AFP leadership. It’s the Commander-in-Chief that decides whether we are going to modify our response in the West Philippine Sea,” he said.
On Nov. 30, several PLA Navy helicopters hovered over Filipino fishermen in WPS, prompting the PCG to deploy BRP Teresa Magbanua and BRP Cape Engaño. Then on Dec. 4, the China Coast Guard (CCG) water cannoned a Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) vessel trying to help out Filipino fishermen in WPS.
It was the first time that PCG’s BRP Teresa Magbanua got shadowed by a PLA-Navy warship at a very close distance of 300 yards in Bajo de Masinloc, the official said.
The Philippines filed another diplomatic protest stemming from the latest incident. (PND)
