THE military intensified patrols in the West Philippine Sea in the South China Sea following the latest case of harassment by China that resulted in the damage of two Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) vessels, the Navy said yesterday.
Rear Adm. Roy Vincent Trinidad, Navy spokesman for the West Philippine Sea (WPS), also said the incident last Monday near Escoda Shoal, also known as Sabina Shoal, is just part of China’s broader plan to gain control of the South China Sea.
“Rest assured that we have increased our presence through sea patrols and air surveillance flights all over the vast expanse of our nine features in the West Philippine Sea,” he told a press briefing at Camp Aguinaldo.
Trinidad was referring to the nine islands occupied by Filipino troops in the contested area, the largest of which is Pag-asa Island that serves as the seat of government of Palawan’s Kalayaan town.
Escoda Shoal is not among the nine but it is near the Philippine-held Ayungin Shoal.
Authorities use Escoda Shoal as the rendezvous point when conducting resupply missions for troops at Ayungin Shoal.
Trinidad declined to discuss details of the enhanced military presence, noting they do not usually announce “tactical details of ship location and deployment.”
“The mandate of the AFP is to ensure the integrity of the (Philippine) territory. That includes the conduct of patrols, sea patrols, surface patrols and maritime surveillance flights,” said Trinidad.
On Monday, Chinese Coast Guard vessels subjected to dangerous maneuvers BRP Cape Engaño and BRP Bagacay near Escoda Shoal while en route to resupply troops at Philippine-occupied Lawak and Patag Islands, leaving large holes in the PCG vessels.
On China’s goal to control Escoda Shoal, Trinidad said, “The end state of the Chinese Communist Party is sea control of the entire South China Sea, utilizing the PLA (People’s Liberation Army) Navy, the Chinese Coast Guard and the maritime militia.”
“The broad picture is control of the entire South China Sea… It shows that the intent of the Chinese Communist Party is sea control of the entire South China Sea which they treat as their backyard,” said Trinidad.
China claims sovereignty over almost the entire South China Sea, deploying an armada of coast guard vessels to protect what it considers its territory, hundreds of kilometers off its mainland. An international arbitral tribunal has said Beijing’s claim has no basis under international law.
The Philippines has been testing China’s resolve with increased coast guard activity in disputed areas of its exclusive economic zone, including resupply missions that have angered China, which sees the moves as deliberate provocations.
ANOTHER CASE
The Philippines is looking at filing a case against China before a United Nations over the Monday incident for “deliberate harassment and infringement” against Philippines’ sovereignty, sovereign rights and jurisdiction in the West Philippine Sea, said Presidential Assistant on Maritime Concerns Andres Centino.
Centino, in a briefing in Malacañang, said the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) would determine which body the complaint would be filed.
He said the Office of the Solicitor General, as part of the National Maritime Council (NMC), will assist in the preparation and filing of a complaint.
NMC spokesman Alexander Lopez said the Philippines said the council expressed “serious concern over the deliberate harassment and infringement by China” on Philippine sovereignty and sovereign rights in the South China Sea.
Solicitor General Menardo Guevarra said the final decision on whether the country will file a case before the international tribunal against repeated harassment and aggressive activities by China rests with President Marcos Jr.
“Any legal action that the Philippines may take in connection with maritime issues in the West Philippine Sea will have to be deliberated upon by the National Maritime Council. In any event, the last word will always come from the President,” Guevarra said.
The Philippine coast guard has accused their Chinese counterparts of performing “unlawful and aggressive maneuvers” which resulted in the collision.
But Chinese coast guard spokesperson Gan Yu in a post on social media platform Weibo said the two Filipino vessels “deliberately collided’ with their ships.
Lopez, asked if the country would take a more aggressive stand against China, said it “will not be to the best interest of our country and of China, and even in the region.”
He said the Philippine government remains committed to the President’s directive for a diplomatic approach in a peaceful resolution of disputes and will continue to uphold its rights and jurisdictions in the West Philippine Sea.
“In line with the President’s directive… if we will be going beyond diplomatic or peaceful approach, you can just imagine — maybe if you’re referring to more kinetic actions, that will not be to the best interest of our country and of China, and even in the region. So, we’re looking at this approach. We can never go wrong by using this diplomatic and peaceful approach,” he said.
MORE CONDEMNATION
China’s actions have drawn condemnation from treaty ally, the United States which described them as “dangerous” and “reckless,” while Japan through its embassy in Manila also expressed serious concern while reiterating its call for peaceful settlement of disputes.
The United States also reiterated its commitment to come to the aid of the Philippines in case of an armed attack, citing its obligations under the Mutual Defense Treaty.
In a statement, State Department principal deputy spokesperson Vedant Patel said Washington stands with its ally and reiterated its condemnation of the “dangerous actions” by Chinese vessels against “lawful Philippine maritime operations in the South China Sea.”
“People’s Republic of China ships employed reckless maneuvers, deliberately colliding with two Philippine Coast Guard ships, causing structural damage and jeopardizing the safety of the crew onboard. These actions are the latest examples of the PRC using dangerous and escalatory measures to enforce its expansive and unlawful South China Sea maritime claims,” Patel said as he urged Beijing to abide by international law and desist from its “dangerous and destabilizing conduct.”
Patel reiterated Washington’s commitment under the 1951 Mutual Defense Treaty to come to its ally’s aid in case of an armed attack.
On Monday, US Ambassador to Manila MaryKay Carlson and European Union Ambassador Luc Veron condemned the latest Chinese action and urged Beijing to abide by international laws.
French Ambassador Marie Fontanel on Monday expressed concern over the incident.
“France renews its call for respect of the UNCLOS and of freedom of navigation. We oppose any threat or 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 Court on July 12, 2016,” Fontanel said.
On Tuesday, German Ambassador Andreas Pfafferr said Berlin is concerned about the serious maritime incident between the Chinese and Philippine vessels in Sabina Shoal.
“We urge all parties to avoid escalatory actions and to fully respect international law as set out in UNCLOS and the binding 2016 arbitral award,” Pfafferr said, referring to the ruling of the Permanent Court of Arbitration that junked China’s expansive claim in the South China Sea under its so-called nine-dash line.
Australian Ambassador Hae Kyung Yu said Canberra is “deeply concerned” by the action of the Chinese vessels against Philippine ships that “were lawfully near Sabina Shoal.”
“These deliberate actions undermine efforts to de-escalate tensions. We urge restraint and adherence to international law, particularly UNCLOS,” the envoy said.
Both Manila and Beijing are signatories to the UNCLOS.
British Ambassador Laure Beaufils said: “The United Kingdom is very concerned about reports of dangerous actions by Chinese vessels against Philippine Coast Guard ships near Sabina Shoal. The United Kingdom calls again for respect of international law, including UNCLOS, and adherence to the 2016 Arbitral Award which is legally binding on the parties,” Beaufils said.
Japanese Ambassador Endo Kazuya said: “Japan is seriously concerned over the recent aggressive conduct causing damage to Philippine vessels. Any harassment and actions which increase tensions or disturb navigational rights are not tolerated. Japan stands with the Philippines in upholding rules-based order and peaceful settlement of disputes based on international law,” he said.
Canadian Ambassador David Hartman said: “Canada condemns the irresponsible and dangerous maneuvers of the China Coast Guard which caused damage to two Philippine Coast Guard vessels near Sabina Shoal. These actions are inconsistent with China’s obligations under international law and undermine efforts to de-escalate tensions in the South China Sea.”
‘AGENTS OF AGGRESSION’
Trinidad said the presence of the Chinese in the WPS is “illegal” and their actions are “coercive and aggressive.”
He described the Chinese inside the WPS as “agents of aggression.”
“(They are) causing all the dynamics, all of the aggressive maneuvers in the West Philippine Sea,” he said.
Trinidad nevertheless said the military is not expecting the Chinese to escalate the tensions in West Philippine Sea to the point of causing an open conflict.
“First and foremost, all the actions of the PLA Navy, the Chinese Coast Guard and the maritime militia will be below the threshold of conflict. It will not reach the point that they will initiate escalation to the point of conflict,” he said.
He also said China’s actions will continue to fuel the determination of AFP forces “to continue ensuring the integrity of the national territory.”
Trinidad also rejected a recent call of the commander of the Chinese military’s Southern Theater for the withdrawal of Filipino troops at BRP Sierra Madre at Ayungin Shoal.
“It is the mandate of the AFP to ensure the integrity of the national territory. We BRP Sierra Madre on Ayungin Shoal, we have our personnel onboard BRP Sierra Madre. We will ensure they are rotated and resupplied on time,” he said.
“BRP Sierra Madre will remain (on Ayungin Shoal), we will not give up that ship,” added Trinidad. — With Jocelyn Montemayor, Ashzel Hachero, and Reuters
