‘AFP dealing with sea row with utmost professionalism’

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THE Armed Forces yesterday said it is dealing with “challenges” in the conduct of resupply missions to Ayungin Shoal in the West Philippine Sea in the South China Sea with “utmost professionalism.”

AFP spokeswoman Col. Francel Margareth Padilla nevertheless said the military is “fully ready” to defend themselves when necessary.

Padilla’s remarks came after Chinese vessels harassed another military resupply mission to Ayungin Shoal on Tuesday last week, damaging a military-chartered civilian supply boat and a Philippine Coast Guard vessel that was escorting the mission.

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Four Navy men suffered minor injuries after the wind shield of the supply boat was shattered by a water cannon fired by a Chinese Coast Guard vessel.

AFP Western Command chief Vice Adm. Alberto Carlos, who was on board the supply boat, was injured but was noted among the injured because his injury was not severe compared to the four personnel.

Another supply boat, Unaizah Mae 1, successfully delivered supplies to troops at the Ayungin Shoal, about 104 nautical miles from Rizal in Palawan. The troops are staying at the BRP Sierra Madre, a rusting Navy ship which was grounded at the shoal in 1999 to serve as military outpost.

Padilla reiterated the legitimacy of the resupply missions, noting the shoal is inside the country’s territorial waters.

“It’s guided by international rules-based order and international law and our commitment to protecting our national sovereignty so any challenges that we will be facing with be addressed with utmost professionalism,” she said.

“However, let it be clear that the AFP is fully prepared to defend ourselves and the lives of our members if necessary,” said Padilla, without elaborating.

Padilla said the resupply missions are meant for the well-being and morale of the troops stationed at BRP Sierra Madre.

“We are there to support the troops who are deployed in these territorial waters. So we will not be deterred, the AFP will be continuing with these missions for the welfare of our troops,” said Padilla.

“We want to stress the legality of our operation in the West Philippine Sea. This is guided by international law and our commitment to protect the country’s sovereignty. All of our actions are legal,” said Padilla.

DEFENSE CONCEPT

Padilla declined to give details of the Comprehensive Archipelagic Defense Concept that the defense and military establishments are implementing. Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr first talked about the military embarking on the CADC last January. He said the military, under the CADC, will guarantee Philippine nationals, Philippine corporations and those authorized by the Philippine government “ unimpeded and peaceful exploration and exploitation of all natural resources within our exclusive economic zone and other areas where we have jurisdiction.”

“So rather than an inward looking defense concept, we are evolving into a defense concept which projects our power into our areas where we must, by constitutional fiat and duty, protect and preserve our resources,” Teodoro has said.

Teodoro on Friday reiterated the implementation of the after Chinese President Xi Jinping said Chinese armed forces “should coordinate the preparation for maritime military conflicts, the protection of maritime rights and interests, and the development of the maritime economy.”

“We cannot divulge what’s in it and how it’s going to be implemented because these are operational matters,” said Padilla.

But Padilla said AFP’s activities in the West Philippine Sea are “not really meant to escalate the tensions (in the area).”

“We are just ensuring the safety, security and well-being of our military forces that are deployed in our territorial waters in the West Philippine Sea,” added Padilla.

‘CALL IT WPS’

Sen. Francis Tolentino urged government agencies to oblige both local and international airline companies to mention the West Philippine Sea (WPS) each time their aircraft pass above that sea to assert the country’s claims on it.

In an interview with radio dzBB, Tolentino also said government agencies should also be used to calling WPS as such especially when they attend congressional hearings after he learned that a number of foreign affairs officials still call that body of water South China Sea.

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“That is its former name. We called it West Philippine Sea after China came out with its nine-dash line claim. But … it is formerly called South China Sea. So, we better take a second look at that because the whole of our exclusive economic zone and the extended continental shelf was given a new name. But it is clear that we referring to and for purposes of international law, West Philippine Sea is included [in the Philippine Maritime Zones Act,” he said in Filipino.

The Senate last week passed on third and final reading Senate Bill No. 2492 or the Philippine Maritime Zones Act to serve as a cornerstone of the country’s maritime policy, protect sovereignty, promote sustainable development, and secure future prosperity.

The measure establishes the Philippine maritime zones in compliance with the United Nations Convention on the Law of Sea, and the 2016 Arbitral Ruling which nullified China’s sweeping claims at South China Sea. It sets up archipelagic boundaries, internal waters and EEZ over which the Philippines exercises sovereignty and jurisdiction.

Tolentino said the Philippine Maritime Zones Act is a way of showing to the international community that the government is now implementing the 2016 Arbitral Ruling.

The measure was opposed by China, which is expected as Beijing is not honoring the 2016 Arbitral Ruling.

ALLIES’ SUPPORT

Mandaluyong Rep. Boyet Gonzales, chair of the House special committee on the West Philippine Sea, said President Marcos Jr. is doing the right thing by eliciting the support of other countries in pushing for the country’s territorial rights in the WPS.

“He has been raising this issue in his meeting with leaders of the nations he has visited, including Australia last month and last week, and Vietnam in January,” Gonzales said. “He is keeping up international pressure on Beijing, so the Chinese would back off their aggressive activities inside our territorial waters, including Ayungin Shoal off Palawan in the south and Bajo de Masinloc (Scarborough Shoal) near Zambales and Pangasinan in the north, which China seized in 2012.”

Gonzales pointed out that during the President’s visits to Australia, Marcos called on his host country to join forces with other allies to counter threats to rule of law, stability and peace in the region. He said the President also secured Australia’s commitment for a renewed partnership with the Philippines, “a clear indication of the strengthened strategic partnership between the two countries.”

In Vietnam in January, the President reiterated his commitment to defend Philippine sovereignty in the WPS and to protect Filipino fishermen and signed a memorandum of understanding with Vietnam on the “Incident and Management in the South China Sea,” Gonzales added. — With Raymond Africa and Wendell Vigilia

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