WILL China go to war over the long-standing dispute in the West Philippine Sea? Not so, according to the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG).
Commodore Jay Tarriela, the PCG spokesman for the West Philippine Sea, issued the remarks as he lashed back at China for accusing the PCG of making an “irresponsible claim” on supposed reclamation efforts of the Chinese at Sabina Shoal, also known as Escoda Shoal.
“We don’t want a war scenario here. Not even the People’s Republic of China would choose to go to war with any other claimant states, particularly the Philippines,” Tarriela said in a press conference at a Quezon City hotel.
The Philippines, China, Malaysia, Vietnam, Brunei and Taiwan are locked in a territorial dispute over the West Philippine Sea. China has become aggressive in its claims over the past years, with Chinese vessels harassing and using water cannons against Philippine vessels at the Philippine-occupied Ayungin Shoal and at Scarborough Shoal, also known as Bajo de Masinloc, which is under Chinese control after a standoff with Philippine government vessels in 2012.
“The moment we have that kind of scenario, it will devastate the entire global trade. We know how important the South China Sea is for global trade,” said Tarriela, adding it will be “devastating not just for China but for all countries in the globe” if a war breaks out in the South China Sea.
“So that kind of scenario is very unlikely to happen because China will not go to war because of this issue,” said Tarriela.
Tarriela stressed that President Marcos Jr. did not want an escalation of the tension in the West Philippine Sea.
“We are avoiding a kinetic conflict with China. We are always avoiding that. That is not included in the policy direction that we are going to take because nobody really wants to have this kinetic conflict with anyone,” said Tarriela.
Last Saturday, Tarriela reported small-scale reclamation activities of China at the Sabina Shoal after PCG divers found dead corals dumped on the seabed of the shoal.
Last Tuesday, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Wang Wenbin called it a “sheer rumor spread by the Philippines, which is an irresponsible claim designed to vilify China and mislead the international community.”
“I don’t really take their statements seriously,” said Tarriela, maintaining the PCG has evidence to prove China’s reclamation bid that he said was prevented by the PCG’s deployment of a vessel and divers last April 16.
“Definitely, our statements that reached the international community are supported by images and videos,” said Tarriela, saying reports of China’s reclamation activities are not a rumor or a made-up story.
Tarriela said it is China that is spreading rumors and lies on the issue of the West Philippine Sea.
“Our transparency strategy has always been founded on the truth. All the statements that we gave to the public are backed by evidence, they are supported by videos and images,” said Tarriela, adding that China should explain the presence of the Chinese Coast Guard, maritime militia and research vessels at Sabina Shoal.
He said Chinese divers from three Chinese research vessels continued to conduct diving activities at the vicinity of the shoal “but I don’t think that they are still continuing their efforts of doing illegal reclamation.”
Tarriela also reported an increase in information operations of Chinese troops on social media.
“The number of troops has increased; they have become more active. It appears (the) People’s Republic of China or the Chinese embassy has doubled their pay,” said Tarriela.
Tarriela said the development proves that the government’s transparency initiative is “really effective.”
“It’s a good sign that we are winning this (information) battle,” said Tarriela, adding the government will keep on exposing the truth about Chinese aggressions in the West Philippines.
“No amount of lies can counter that (truth),” said Tarriela.
Meanwhile, the Atin Ito coalition set sail yesterday morning to Scarborough Shoal to distribute supplies and fuel to fishermen in the area.
Last April 30, a PCG vessel and a Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources vessel were damaged after they were subjected to dangerous maneuvers, water cannoning and ramming by Chinese vessels during a “humanitarian mission” in the area.
PCG spokesman Rear Adm. Armando Balilo said the convoy, which Atin Ito said is composed of five commercial fishing vessels and 100 small fishing boats, made a stop some 14 nautical miles off Palauig Point in Zambales.
“They stopped for the symbolic laying of markers,” said Balilo.
Akbayan Party, one of the groups under Atin Ito, said they also completed the first round of distribution of food packs and fuel to fishermen in the area.
Balilo said the convoy may reach the vicinity of Scarborough Shoal today. Balilo also said the PCG ordered the deployment of two additional PCG vessels, BRP Panglao and BRP Boracay, to escort the convoy.
“These are 24-meter patrol boats. Fast and with excellent maneuverability,” said Balilo.
The two vessels will support the 44-meter BRP Bagacay that was earlier dispatched to ensure the safety of the voyage.
Tarriela said the PCG has also earmarked an aircraft to help monitor the voyage.
The PCG said 19 Chinese vessels were monitored in the vicinity of Scarborough Shoal yesterday morning, ahead of the arrival of the Atin Ito convoy.
Ten were Chinese maritime militia vessels, eight were Chinese Coast Guard vessels and one was a Chinese Navy ship.
They were spotted by a PCG Cessna aircraft sent to conduct a maritime domain awareness flight in the area.
The PCG said the aircraft also spotted two floating barriers installed at the southeast entrance of the shoal, along with a China Coast Guard rigid-hulled inflatable boat with three personnel onboard.
It said the PCG aircraft received three radio challenges from the Chinese during its mission.
Earlier reports said a number of Chinese vessels have been dispatched by China to block and harass the mission.
Tarriela said PCG commandant Adm. Ronnie Gil Gavan ordered the deployment of the additional vessels because “there is no denying the fact that there are many Chinese Coast Guard vessels deployed there.”
“If there will be (an) untoward incident, we have Coast Guard vessels to save our fellow Filipinos,” said Tarriela, adding the PCG is committed to ensuring the safety of the civilians who joined the mission.
“What I can tell you right now is that the Philippine Coast Guard will really make sure and do whatever it takes to ensure the safety of fellow Filipinos who are sailing within our own Exclusive Economic Zone,” said Tarriela.
PH-JAPAN AGREEMENT
The Philippines and Japan are due to sign an agreement, preparatory to contract signing, for the acquisition of five multi-role response vessels for the use of the PCG.
Balilo said the “note signing” between representatives from the two governments will take place on Friday.
“This means there is already an agreement on the terms, the intention is already finalized,” said Balilo.
Balilo made the impending note signing after Japanese Ambassador Endo Kazuya paid a courtesy call to PCG commandant Adm. Ronnie Gil Gavan at the PCG headquarters in Manila.
“After this (note signing), we will prepare the contract, and we will schedule the contract signing,” said Balilo, without saying when they intend to sign the contract.
The 97-meter vessel, which will cost nearly P30 billion, is expected to bolster the PCG’s capability in the conduct of patrols, including in the West Philippine Sea.
The PCG earlier acquired two similar vessels from Japan a few years ago. “We’ve already tested how good these large vessels are, their quality. They can stay at sea for a long period,” said Balilo.
Balilo said one of the two vessels, BRP Teresa Magbunua, has been deployed at Sabina Shoal, also known as Escoda Shoal, in the West Philippine Sea, for the past 30 days.
The second vessel, BRP Melchora Aquino, recently took part in the recently concluded Balikatan exercise between Filipino and American troops.
Balilo said they expect the five additional vessels to be acquired from Japan to be delivered in the next two or three years.
“We expect the arrival of the five 97-meter MRRVs to expand the Coast Guard Fleet around 2027 to 2028,” said Balilo.
Balilo expressed gratitude to Japan for helping the PCG in its capability development program.
“We welcome offers from various countries and Japan has been providing us with the most opportunities,” said Balilo.
“We are very grateful for their cooperation to make sure the West Philippine Sea remains peaceful, stable, and prosperous for our respective people,” added Balilo.
WIRETAPPING PROBE
Sen. Francis Tolentino has filed a resolution urging the Committee on National Defense to conduct an investigation on the alleged Chinese Embassy’s wiretapping of the AFP’s Western Command in connection with the reported “new model” of conduct in the West Philippine Sea.
Tolentino said the Chinese Embassy may have violated the Philippine Anti-Wiretapping Act, a grave offense, he said, that could ignite diplomatic tensions and trigger significant legal repercussions.
Committee chairman Sen. Jinggoy Estrada said he will conduct an investigation on the resolution on Tuesday next week.
Senate Resolution No. 1023, filed last Monday, underscores Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Lin Jian’s announcement in a press conference last May 6 the alleged new model for Ren’ai Reef (Second Thomas Shoal) transportation and subsidy that was allegedly approved by the entire command chain of the Philippine military and national security adviser.
Last May 7, China also threatened to release the transcript and audio recording of a supposed phone conversation that happened on January 3 between Chinese officials and Vice Admiral Alberto Carlos, the former chief of the AFP-WesCom. In the alleged conversation, Carlos reportedly agreed to a “new model” for resupply missions to the BRP Sierra Madre.
“It is unlawful for any person, a participant or not in the act or acts penalized, to knowingly possess any tape record, wire record, disc record, or any other such record, or copies of any communication or spoken word secured either before or after the effective date of this Act in the manner prohibited by this law,” Tolentino said.
He added that it is likewise unlawful for any person to replay unauthorized recorded communication or to furnish its transcription to any person unless allowed or authorized by the courts as evidence in any civil, criminal investigation, or trial of offenses.
In a press conference yesterday, Tolentino said such an act is a serious breach of existing international laws and violates the internal and domestic laws of the host country
Tolentino said the committee can come up with several recommendations if it is indeed proven that there was wiretapping, including declaring the spokesman persona non grata which can lead to sending him back to Beijing.
He said the Department of Foreign Affairs can also call for a reduction in the size of personnel of the Chinese embassies in the country.
“Their staff will be decreased to show our collective disgust,” he said, adding the alleged conversation can be examined by the National Bureau of Investigation to determine its authenticity.
VOYAGE BACKED
Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) President Bishop Pablo David yesterday expressed strong support to the voyage of the “Atin Ito” coalition to the Scarborough Shoal.
In a social media post, David said they are in full support of the mission of the civilian group in helping the country assert its sovereignty over the contested areas.
“Let us accompany the civilian supply mission to the West Philippine Sea with our prayers,” said David.
“Let us pray to the Lord that no untoward incident happens to the fleet of five civilian marine vessels and one hundred small fishing boats that are presently navigating their way through our exclusive economic zone to deliver fuel and food supplies to our fisherfolks in the vicinity of the Panatag Shoal,” he added.
The Kalookan prelate said they also support the mission, adding it is a better measure compared to a militaristic approach towards the conflict. — With Raymond Africa and Gerard Naval
