DND: Chinese forcibly took rocket debris
DEPARTMENT of National Defense officer-in-charge Jose Faustino Jr. has disputed China’s claim that its coast guard gained possession of rocket debris found by Filipino troops near the Philippine-occupied Pag-asa Island in the West Philippine Sea last Sunday through “friendly consultation.”
Faustino said he is standing by the report of the Armed Forces that a Chinese ship blocked the pre-plotted course of Philippine Navy personnel while towing the debris, cut the towing line attached to their rubber boat, and took the object.
As a result of the incident, President Maros Jr. said last Tuesday that the Philippines will issue a note verbale or diplomatic note to Beijing.
The floating object, according to a spokeswoman for China’s foreign ministry, was debris from a rocket’s payload fairing, or casing that protects the nose-cone of a spacecraft launched recently by China.
Vice Adm. Alberto Carlos, commander of the AFP Western Command, earlier said a Chinese Coast Guard vessel, with bow number 5203, twice blocked the pre-plotted course of the Filipino troops who had retrieved the floating debris near Pagasa’s Cay 1 sand bar.
Carlos said the Chinese ship then deployed a Rigid Hull Inflatable Boat (RHIB) and its occupants “forcefully retrieved the floating object by cutting the towing line” attached to the rubber boat of the Filipino troops.
The Navy personnel returned to the Naval Station Emilio Liwanag at Pag-asa Island after the incident. Hours later, explosions were heard from the Chinese-occupied Subi Reef, about 14 nautical miles from Pag-asa Island, according to a police report.
The Chinese embassy denied Carlos’ statement, saying “there was no so-called blocking of the course of a Philippine Navy boat and forcefully retrieving the object at the scene.”
The Chinese embassy said the Philippine side “returned” the object after a “friendly consultation.” It said the Chinese side “expressed gratitude to the Philippine side.”
“We stand by the accounts of our personnel in the area that, contrary to the narrative of the Chinese side, the debris being towed by a Philippine vessel to Naval Station Emilio Liwanag for inspection was rudely taken by personnel from CCGV5203 (Chinese Coast Guard Vessel 5203),” Faustino said in a statement issued last Tuesday night.
Faustino said the reported explosions are subject to an investigation, adding: “The situation is still developing, thus we cannot provide additional details at this time.”
Faustino said the defense department is still awaiting additional reports on the two incidents, referring to the forceful Chinese retrieval of the debris and the explosions.
“Our Armed Forces, together with relevant government agencies, are working to ensure the safety of our Filipino community in Pag-asa and the surrounding areas. We are reviewing all reports to determine our future actions,” Faustino said, adding the DND is supporting the government’s diplomatic efforts to address the issues.
“Events such as these are exactly why we continue to advocate for open lines of communication and dialogue mechanisms. We support the diplomatic efforts of Philippine government agencies to engage our Chinese counterparts to address the incident,” said Faustino.
Kalayaan town acting Mayor Beltzasar Alindogan said there were around 30 Chinese vessels near the Cay 1 sandbar last Sunday.
“They are not actually surrounding (Pag-asa Island). As of last Sunday, our count is 30 plus…They are anchored near the sand bar at Pag-asa Island,” said Alindogan.
He said the sand bar is about three to four miles away from Pag-asa Island, which serves as the seat of government of Kalayaan town. There are around 30 families living at Pag-asa Island, he said.
Alindogan said the situation at Pag-asa Island is “back to normal” after last Sunday’s incident.
Meanwhile, Philippine Coast Guard spokesman Commodore Armand Balilo said the PCG needs additional ships due to development in the West Philippine Sea and to preserve marine environment in Philippine waters.
“It’s about time to really have development in terms of equipage and personnel for the Philippine Coast Guard and other maritime agencies in order to do our job of preserving our ecosystem, marine environment and the livelihood of our countrymen,” said Balilo.
“At this point in time, our responsibility is getting bigger because of what’s happening in the West Philippine Sea. We need additional floating assets not only for patrol operations, maritime security, but also for other functions of the Philippine Coast Guard, so the Philippine Coast Guard can respond to its other missions all over the country,” added Balilo.
Balilo said the combined assets of the PCG, Armed Forces, PNP Maritime Group and Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources are not enough to do the job.
Nevertheless, Balilo assured the public that the PCG will do whatever it takes “to prevent poaching, illegal entry of illegal fishermen from other countries who may be destroying our ecosystem.”
Balilo’s remarks came after visiting US Vice President Kamala Harris said the lives and livelihood of Palawan folk are at risk due to the entry of foreign fishing vessels into Philippine waters. She said these foreign vessels harass and intimidate Filipino fishermen, pollute the ocean and destroy the maritime ecosystem.
Harris said the US will be providing additional funding to Philippine maritime enforcement agencies “to increase their capacity to counter IUU (illegal, unreported and unregulated) fishing, to enhance monitoring system, and to upgrade equipment.”
