PRESIDENT Ferdinand Marcos Jr. yesterday said the Philippines will not tolerate any disrespect to its sovereignty as it would continue to safeguard its maritime zones and exercise its maritime entitlements in accordance with international laws.
The president reiterated his stand on the issue during ceremonies for the 127th Philippine Navy anniversary held at the Naval Operating Base in Subic in Zambales, where he also reaffirmed his government’s commitment not to give up an inch of the country’s territory amid growing tension in the region.
During the anniversary rites, the Navy commissioned into service two warships, bolstering its capability to address maritime threats including in the contested West Philippine Sea (WPS) in the South China Sea.
The Philippines has overlapping claims in parts of the South China Sea with China, Vietnam, Brunei, and Malaysia. China is claiming almost the entire area, including the West Philippine Sea where it has been harassing Philippine ships.
Marcos graced the commissioning of BRP Miguel Malvar and BRP Albert Majini. Also in the ceremonies were Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr, AFP chief Gen. Romeo Brawner and other top defense and military officials.
The Naval Operating Base in Subic, Zambales is about 140 nautical miles from Scarborough Shoal in the WPS.
China gained control of the shoal in 2012 after a standoff with Philippine government vessels. Since then, the Chinese have been preventing Filipinos from fishing the shoal’s lagoon.
Marcos also recognized the role of the Philippine Navy in fulfilling the government’s commitments, adding the Navy men serve as “peacekeepers both in land and in sea —remaining as steadfast as ever in upholding our nation’s maritime entitlements with dignity and with courage.”
“We will continue to safeguard our maritime zones and exercise our maritime entitlements, in accordance with international law. Wala tayong isusuko, wala tayong papabayaan (We will not give up anything, we will not abandon),” he added.
The President said the country remains a responsible member of the international community as it engages in all matters diplomatically and upholds the established principles under international law.
Marcos said this obligation is reflected in the Philippines’ proactive and sustained engagement in international defense and security efforts as well as in its continuing active participation in various exercises such as the Balikatan, Sama, Rim of the Pacific, and Multilateral Naval Exercise Kakadu.
NEW SHIPS
The BRP Miguel Malvar was built by the Hyundai Heavy Industries as part of P28-billion contract it signed the Korean shipbuilder signed with the defense department in December 2021.
It arrived in the country on April 4. The second and last ship covered by the contract, which will be given the name BRP Diego Silang, is due to be delivered in the coming months.
The Navy said BRP Miguel Malvar is equipped with anti-ship, anti-submarine, anti-aircraft and electronic warfare systems.
It said the 118-meter vessel “features advanced sensors and weapons systems and is designed for long-range, multi-role combat operations.”
BRP Albert Majini, meanwhile, is part of the nine fast attack interdiction craft missile (FAIC-M) ordered from the Israel Shipyards as part of the P10-billion contract it signed with the DND in 2021. Israel Shipyards has so far delivered eight FAICs, including BRP Albert Majini.
The Navy said BRP Albert Majini, the first locally-assembled missile capable patrol vessel. It said the vessel is “built for rapid interdiction and coastal operations.”
“The commissioning of these two platforms (BRP Miguel Malvar and BRP Albert Majini) strengthens the Philippine Navy’s capacity to address current and emerging maritime challenges, bolstering its role in national defense and regional stability,” Navy spokesman Capt. John Percie Alcos said in a statement.
Navy chief Vice Admiral Jose Ma Ambrosio Ezpeleta, in his address during the anniversary celebration, said the Navy has “come a long way” since hoisting the Philippine flag at the top mast of a revolutionary vessel in 1898.
“Our Navy has steadily grown into a force that is ever prepared to protect the country. Our readiness has become even more crucial in navigating the present security environment filled with urgent challenges related to the development in in our seas,” said Ezpeleta.
USE OF FORCE
AFP deputy chief of staff for plans Maj. Gen. Rommel Cordova, during a forum organized by the Stratbase Institute, said the illegal, coercive, aggressive and deceptive activities (ICAD) against the Philippines warrant the use of force.
Cordova did not name China.
Cordova said the “prevalence of assertive and aggressive actions” against the Philippines in the West Philippine Sea “increases the potential for armed conflict.”
“Equally alarming are the creeping covert acts that seek to weaken the country internally by influencing key decision-makers, weakening social cohesion, and controlling critical infrastructures,” said Cordova.
“These illegal, coercive, aggressive, and deceptive activities or ICAD activities against the Philippines are sufficient to warrant the use of force, but the Philippines is committed in settling differences through diplomacy and amicable means,” added Cordova.
He said Philippines “remains committed in pursuing diplomatic approaches in managing the tensions in the West Philippine Sea.”
Nevertheless, Cordova said the Armed Forces is building up its capabilities “to create effective presence and deterrence” under CADC.
Meanwhile, the Philippine Coast Guard has monitored another Chinese research vessel inside the country’s EEZ.
The vessel, Xiang Yang Hong 302, was some 180 nautical miles from Rizal, Palawan as of 10:14 a.m. yesterday.
The PCG also reported that one of the two research vessels it earlier monitored in northern Luzon has left the EEZ.
It said research vessel, Zhong Shan Da Xue, was some 281 nautical miles from Itbayat, Batanes or in the vicinity of Guangdong, China as of 10:30 a.m.
The PCG said the second research vessel, Tan Suo Er Hao, remains to be inside the EEZ. It was some 130 nautical miles from Burgos, Ilocos Norte as of 10:15 a.m. yesterday.
