ARMED Forces chief Gen. Romeo Brawner Jr joined a patrol in the West Philippine Sea in the South China Sea on Friday, aboard a fighter aircraft of the Philippine Air Force that test-fired its flares.
“Our flares are working,” Brawner said yesterday in an interview after the commemoration of the National Heroes Day at the Libingan ng mga Bayani in Taguig City, adding he was aboard the FA-50 fighter aircraft that patrolled the West Philippine Sea.
“We have that capability (flares) but then again we follow international law. We are not doing it (launching of flares) to others,” said Brawner.
The patrol and flare testing occurred 15 days after two Chinese multi-role fighters conducted dangerous maneuvers and launched flares on a path of an NC-212i plane of the Philippine Air Force (PAF) conducting routine patrol over Scarborough Shoal, also known as Bajo de Masinloc and Panatag Shoal, on August 8.
On August 19, a Chinese fighter aircraft also launched flares on a Cessna plane of the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) during a similar patrol over the shoal.
On August 22, the Chinese launched flares from the China-occupied Subi Reef on the same BFAR aircraft which was patrolling the vicinity of the highly-militarized reef.
Two other incidents of Chinese harassment were recorded this month, including that of Philippine Coast Guard vessels BRP Cape Engaño and BRP Bacagay on August 19, which were damaged due to ramming and collision with PCG vessels. The vessels were out to resupply troops at two Philippine-held islands.
Last Sunday, Chinese vessels also rammed and water cannoned BFAR vessel BRP Datu Sanday near Escoda Shoal during a “humanitarian mission,” causing damage to the BFAR vessel.
Brawner, asked specifically where they conducted the patrol, said, “In the West Philippine Sea, northern portion of our western hemisphere.”
He said “no untoward incident” occurred during the incident.
On how many aircraft were involved in the patrol and test-firing of the flares, Brawner said, “We can’t say how many (aircraft were involved) or where (it was specifically conducted) but in the WPS (West Philippine Sea).”
He said such patrols will continue, noting that “we are in the right position, we have the legitimate backing which are the international laws and regulations.”
MILITARY PRESENCE
Asked what President Marcos Jr’s latest directive to the Armed Forces is, amid the series of Chinese harassment cases, Brawner said, “The order of the President which is not give up a square inch or even a square centimeter of our territory stands.”
He emphasized the importance of maintaining military presence in the West Philippine Sea.
“Once we leave the West Philippine Sea, we don’t know what will happen. They might turn Escoda Shoal into an artificial island. That’s why we have to be there,” he said.
Brawner said the military will continue to conduct “legitimate military operations” in the West Philippine because the international law, UNCLOS (United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea) is behind us.”
Brawner said the Chinese are insisting the area is theirs. Such excessive claim was invalidated by the 2016 ruling of the Permanent Court of Arbitration.
“That is why we have to assert really our sovereignty and our sovereign rights (over the West Philippine Sea),” he said.
Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr, in a separate interview, said China’s acts of aggression are expected.
“As I said before we have to expect these kinds of behavior from China because this is a struggle in the area. We have to be ready and anticipate these kinds of acts of China,” he said. He earlier said the struggle is for presence and assertion of sovereign rights.
Teodoro said the Philippine government has been repeatedly saying that such activities are illegal. “But they don’t care,” said Teodoro.
On the President’s earlier statement that the country needs to do more than just filing diplomatic protest over Chinese harassments, Teodoro said: “That is for the National Maritime Council to discuss.”
The council is chaired by Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin.
“On our own, at the defense department, we are doing a lot of things. But I am not at liberty to talk about it,” he said.
Teodoro said he is focused on coming up with measures to deter an armed attack, a scenario that will trigger the Mutual Defense Treaty between the Philippines and the United States.
“Let us deter an armed attack. That is the more important thing. That is what I am focused on doing. Everybody is too focused on armed attack. Let’s make ourselves strong enough so that that does not happen,” said Teodoro.
ENVOYS SPEAK OUT
The ambassadors of the United States, European Union, France and Japan decried China’s latest action.
US Ambassador MaryKay Carlson said the incident undermined a legal mission of the Philippines within its own exclusive economic zone.
“Unsafe, unlawful, and aggressive conduct by the People’s Republic of China disrupted a legal Philippine mission, endangering lives — the latest in multiple dangerous actions by the PRC. We are steadfast in supporting the Philippines #FriendsPartnersAllies,” Carlson said on X, formerly Twitter.
European Union Ambassador Luc Veron expressed alarm over China’s action of preventing the Philippine vessel from delivering supplies to Filipino fishermen plying their trade in the area.
“The dangerous maneuvers by Chinese government naval assets which aimed at preventing a legal humanitarian mission by the Philippine Bureau of Fisheries in the vicinity of Sabina Shoal is disturbing. The EU trusts that respect for international law including UNCLOS is essential in the South China Sea as anywhere else,” Veron said.
Japanese Ambassador Endo Kazuya and French Ambassador Marie Fontael echoed the statements of their US and EU counterparts in condemning China’s actions.
“Another unacceptable development around Sabina Shoal. Any harassment and actions which increase tensions or obstruct freedom of navigation are not tolerated. Upholding a rules-based int’l order and adhering to commitments must prevail,” Kazuya said.
Concerned after the new incident in South China Sea today, which caused damage to Philippine coast guard vessels. France calls for respect for the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea and freedom of navigation,” Fontanel said.
In another statement, the French Embassy in Manila renewed its call for respect for UNCLOS, adding that Paris opposed any threat or the use of force to settle disputes.
“We oppose any threat or the use of force contrary to international law and recall the importance of resolving disputes through dialogue. We also recall the decision rendered by the Arbitral Tribunal on July 12, 2016,” it added, referring to the decision of the Permanent Court of Arbitration dismissing China’s massive claim in the South China Sea as having no legal or historical basis.
‘ALARMING’
The National Maritime Council (NMC) said the Philippine government deplores the “repeated aggressive, unprofessional and illegal” actions displayed by Chinese maritime forces against Philippine vessels and aircraft in the past week, as it questioned the sincerity of China to de-escalate the situation in the maritime area.
“These provocative and dangerous actions were made in the space of only a week is
alarming, and calls into question China’s supposed commitment to de-escalate the
situation in the area and create a conducive environment for dialogue and consultation,” the NMC said in a statement.
It added that China’s activities shows its wanton disregard for United Nations Convention on the Laws of the Seas (UNCLOS), the 2016 South China Sea Arbitral Award, and other existing international laws and regulations that are meant to ensure the safety of ships and aircraft.
Senators slammed China’s latest ramming move.
RETALIATION
Senate President pro tempore Jinggoy Estrada said China is escalating tension in the West Philippines in an apparent bid to force the Philippines to retaliate with violent actions.
“They are intentionally doing it to force us to use violence. We are not violating an international law because that is part of the sea where we conduct maritime activities in well within our EEZ [exclusive economic zone]. I don’t see any reason why they should be cruel to our countrymen,” Estrada said in Filipino.
Estrada also said government agencies should explore all legal avenues, including the possibility of having an international arbitration “to step in to hold China accountable for its repeated and dangerous maneuvers against our vessels.
Sen. Juan Miguel Zubiri said China’s actions show its “blatant disrespect” of an understanding to de-escalate tension in the WPS.
“It has once again reneged on its words and on its honor to refrain from performing such attacks such as what happened yesterday (Sunday)… It is treachery, plain and simple,” Zubiri said.
“You can’t even trust them to show simple decency. We condemn this latest act of aggression displayed by China and protest their actions on Philippine territory,” he added.
Sen. Loren Legarda said China must stop its illegal acts within the Philippines’ EEZ.
“The ramming, blasting of horns, and use of water cannons on our vessels are not only illegal, but inhumane and cruel to safety of those at sea, (as well),” Legarda said.
“These actions undercut regional peace and security,” she added.
Sen. Nancy Binay said China should stop all inflammatory actions “that test the limits of our nation’s goodwill.”
“The CCG’s unwarranted acts are not only a violation of international law, but also a blatant disregard for the kindness and patience that the Philippine government has consistently shown in addressing maritime disputes in a peaceful manner,” she said.
“We will continue to stand firm in our commitment to securing our territorial rights and safeguarding the welfare of our people,” she added. — With Ashzel Hachero, Jocelyn Montemayor and Raymond Africa
