NATIONAL Security Adviser Eduardo Año yesterday said China’s moves to harass Philippine vessels will not deter government from defending its sovereign right over Scarborough Shoal in the West Philippine Sea.
Año also said there is still no need for the Armed Forces to play larger role to protect Philippine interests at the shoal amid the involvement of a Chinese warship and a fighter jet in the latest incidents of harassment.
“I think they are intensifying their actions there, maybe using force to intimidate us,” said Año, who is also chairman of the National Task Force for the Philippine Sea.
On Monday, a Chinese Navy warship and a Chinese Coast Guard (CCG) vessel harassed a Philippine Coast Guard vessel, BRP Suluan, while it was distributing fuel and ice to Filipino fishermen at the shoal.
Officials said the Chinese targeted the PCG vessel with water cannon but the seamanship of the PCG crew members prevented a hit. The PCG vessel outmaneuvered the Chinese vessels during the incident, leading to a collision of the two Chinese vessels.
Several people were seen at the forecastle or front portion of the CCG vessel prior to the impact, indicating that some of them may have died or been injured.
“Their intention is to ram us but this led to a collision (of the Chinese vessels). Unfortunately also, we learned there were casualties on the other side. So this is really very unfortunate,” said Año, without elaborating.
On Wednesday, a Chinese fighter jet flew some 200 meters above a PCG aircraft conducting a routine patrol at the shoal, also known as Bajo de Masinloc.
“We are not going to be intimidated by these because we are on the right side. We have the legal and historical basis. We won’t be shaken whatever they do,” said Año.
Año stressed the shoal is part of Philippine territory, noting the 2016 ruling of the Permanent Court of Arbitration and the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea.
“We will continue to protect our rights and defend our territory…That is ours,” he said referring to the shoal which is about 124 nautical miles from mainland Zambales.
China gained control of the shoal in 2012 after a standoff with Philippine government vessels. The Chinese have since prevented Filipinos from fishing at the shoal’s lagoon.
Año said the Philippine government is not escalating the tension in the area.
“We’re not provoking, we are not escalating, we’re not causing trouble there. We’re just doing what we have to do to defend our sovereign rights,” he said.
“The President himself said that he has not issued any order to back out so we will continue (asserting our rights over the shoal),” he added.
ESCALATION
Asked if there is now a need to tap the Armed Forces to play a more active role in protecting the Philippine interest at the shoal following the involvement of Chinese Navy and fighter aircraft in the recent harassments, Año said, “None yet, none yet.”
“As much as possible, we don’t want to cause an escalation. We treat the (matter) as a law enforcement function of the Philippine Coast Guard and BFAR (Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources),” he said.
Año said there will be no change in the military strategy in relation to Scarborough Shoal.
Armed Forces chief Gen. Romeo Brawner earlier said the military is keeping a far distance from the shoal. Brawner said deploying Navy ships near the shoal is already an option following last Monday’s incident.
Año said, “Our Armed Forces is ready to support our law enforcement agencies if needed. But there is no change of strategy when it comes to the use of the Armed Forces. The Armed Forces is ready to defend our country, that is their role. For now, this is a law enforcement (matter).”
If there will be a change in strategy, a major policy decision will come from the President, said Año.
“But as of now, we remain calm,” he said, adding the PCG and the BFAR will continue to perform their mandate of protecting and supporting Filipino fishermen and conducting law enforcement operations at the vicinity of the shoal.
Asked what would prompt the military to play a larger role in the area, Año just said, “We have yet to see anything to trigger the Armed Forces to come in.”
Año said he is hoping the tension at Scarborough Shoal will not escalate further.
“Remember, we have diplomatic efforts also, we have bilateral consultation mechanism. Those should be the primary means to resolve these differences,” he said.
“We’re not causing the escalation but we are ready to defend our country when the time comes,” he added.
‘WORST’
The Philippines has prepared for the “worst” in connection with the row in the West Philippine Sea, National Maritime Council spokesman Alexander Lopez said.
Lopez, at the “Bagong Pilipinas Ngayon,” said the country has crafted contingencies and prepared for any eventuality.
“Ang preparation ng ating gobyerno, especially iyong ating Armed Forces and the Philippine Coast Guard, they are preparing for the worst. So, mayroon tayong contingency plan diyan (the preparation of our government, especially our Armed Forces and the Philippine Coast Guard, they are preparing for the worst. So, we have contingency plans there),” he said.
But Lopez said he cannot divulge details. He was asked if the government is prepared should China change its aggressive tactics.
Lopez reiterated the Philippines will continue to assert its sovereignty, sovereign rights and jurisdiction in the West Philippine Sea, including its territorial waters such as the Scarborough Shoal.
He dismissed claims the Philippines is engaging in provocative actions. He said it is China’s narrative intended for its nationals while the international community is aware of what is really happening.
He reiterated that the Philippines would not back down.
“They are trying to intimidate us, they’re trying to scare us, bully us so that we don’t do what we should do. We are not going to back out, we have a mandate, our air force, coast guard and BFAR have a mandate to do their maritime domain patrol missions,” Lopez said in mixed English and Filipino. – With Jocelyn Reyes
