THE Philippine Navy yesterday said there will be “drastic escalation” of tension in the West Philippine Sea in the South China Sea if China pushes through with its plan to detain foreigners trespassing in its area starting Saturday.
China’s new regulations authorize the Chinese Coast Guard to detain, for up to 60 days, foreigners intruding into its borders, including in the South China Sea.
President Marcos Jr has described the new policy as “completely unacceptable” and said the Philippines will take any measure “to always protect our citizens.”
The Chinese foreign ministry has said “individuals and entities have no need for concern as long as they have not done anything illicit.”
Commodore Roy Vincent Trinidad, Navy spokesman for the West Philippine Sea, expressed hope China will not push through with its planned implementation of the new policy.
“They (Chinese) themselves said that we should not be concerned. I just hope that they will not push through with that (implementation of the policy) because that will be a drastic escalation if they will do that,” Trinidad said at the “Bagong Pilipinas Ngayon” public briefing.
He said China has no right to impose such a policy especially within the Philippines’ 200-nautical mile exclusive economic zone.
He said the Philippine government and other maritime countries are concerned over the Chinese policy.
“So, what we have done so far is to increase our presence — the Philippine Navy, Coast Guard, BFAR (Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources). Not only us, but our partners and allies, if only to deter China from effecting (the policy),” he said.
He did not name the allies and partners but the United States maintains presence in the South China Sea.
Trinidad stressed the Philippine Navy has “contingency plans” in the event the Chinese will detain Filipinos fishing in the West Philippine Sea.
“But we are putting more effort on the deterrence side, that it won’t reach that point and I believe also the other government agencies have the corresponding contingency plans,” he said.
CHINESE WARSHIPS
Trinidad also said the increase in the number of Chinese warships in several areas in the West Philippine Sea has yet to reach an alarming level.
Based on the Philippine Navy monitoring from June 4 to June 10, there were 22 Chinese Navy ships monitored at the vicinity of six Philippine-occupied and two unoccupied features in the West Philippine Sea, from 11 the previous week.
Eight of these Chinese Navy ships were spotted at the Philippine-held Ayungin Shoal where Chinese vessels have been harassing Philippine military resupply missions in the past months.
“The current increase is not yet alarming because it is well within the capability of the (Chinese) South Sea Fleet,” said Trinidad.
What will be “concerning,” Trinidad said, is if China will send forces coming from other Chinese Navy units, to the West Philippine Sea.
“So far, the increase in numbers is still within our acceptable limits,” he said.
Trinidad said the increase in the number of warships in these areas could be related to the first naval drill conducted by China in the West Philippine Sea, specifically at Sabina Shoal, from June 2 to 4.
Trinidad said the presence of these Chinese warships will not prevent the Philippine military from performing its mandate in the West Philippine Sea, including the conduct of patrols.
DIALOGUE
Apostolic Nuncio to the Philippines Reverend Charles John Brown called for a “patient, serious dialogue” and respect for international law to avoid any “catastrophe of escalation.”
The Papal Nuncio did not mention any incident or name any country when he made the remark during the traditional Independence Day vin d’honneur reception in Malacañang.
Referring to the current geopolitical situation in the world, Brown said, “Polarization and violent conflicts resulting from it are a reality at this moment. In this situation, if we want to make a world of safety and prosperity for our children, the way forward for all of us is the same path that has brought the hope of peace to the people of the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao, and that is the path of dialogue.”
Brown’s statement comes amid the rising tension in the West Philippine Sea.
Among those present in the event was Chinese Ambassador Huang Xilian. — With Jocelyn Montemayor
