PCG vows more vigilance, patrols at Panatag Shoal

MANILA, Philippines — Amid reports that some Chinese coast guard units have been harassing Filipino fishermen by confiscating the fish they caught in Panatag (Scarborough) Shoal, the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) yesterday said they would be increasing vigilance and patrols in the disputed area. 

PCG acting spokesman Captain Genito Basilio yesterday said that they would be increasing their presence in Panatag Shoal off Zambales.  

“We have sent directives to our units to increase their maritime patrols in the area,” said Basilio. 

PCG commandant Admiral Elson Hermogino issued the directive following reports that the Chinese coast guard were taking the catch of some Filipino fishermen.

The PCG said they are still validating the report and were not at liberty to discuss the matter. 

“If ever we would refer the incident to the National Task Force-West Philippine Sea (NTF-WPS) for further dispositive action,” Hermogino had said. 

The NTF-WPS was created on March 17, 2016 during the term of former president Benigno Aquino III and is chaired by the National Security Adviser. The PCG is part of the task force.

Section 2 of the Memorandum Circular no. 94 that created the NTF-WPS states it would take guidance from the President through the Cabinet Cluster on Security, Justice and Peace. 

“It shall be responsible for orchestrating and synchronizing the employment of the different national government agencies’ capabilities to achieve the national objectives in the WPS and in submitting such reports and/or recommendations to the President through the security cluster,” it says.

Basilio said they are also leaving it to the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) on how best to address the situation. 

“Diplomatic talks through the DFA with China is one of the solutions and this is already being done,” he added.

Panatag Shoal is one of the contentious territories between the Philippines and China. 

The shoal is located within the 200-nautical mile exclusive economic zone (EEZ) of the Philippines, while China claims it is covered by their territory through the nine-dash line that covers almost the whole South China Sea, including the WPS. 

Magdalo party-list Rep. Gary Alejano claimed yesterday that President Duterte has allegedly ordered the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) to stop patrols at the West Philippine Sea, a directive which did not sit well with military officials.

“I received information that the Duterte administration ordered our AFP not to patrol the West Philippine Sea anymore,” Alejano said in a news forum in Quezon City.

“That is the information I got, that we should not waste our time at the West Philippine Sea because nothing will happen. We will just be spending fuel,” said Alejano.

In a separate phone interview, Alejano said the President gave the order in the latter part of 2017.

Alejano, however, admitted that he has no concrete evidence that Duterte ordered the AFP to stop patrols but added that the information came from reliable sources.

Alejano said Duterte’s directive did not sit well with top military officials, who viewed it as surrendering the country’s territorial claims to China.

“The AFP said wait, that is our mandate. We would be remiss of our mandate if we do that,” he said.

To appease disgruntled military officials, a compromise was reached where the military will still conduct patrols but only once a month. However, it appeared that even that agreement is not being followed.

A video recently aired by GMA News showed members of the Chinese coast guard has been bullying Filipino fishermen in Panatag Shoal.

In the video, men in a speeding boat from China were documented taking the catch of Filipino fishermen.

Alejano said the video has validated his allegations that China has control over Panatag Shoal.

The group Bagong Alyansang Makabayan (Bayan) yesterday urged the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) to immediately file a diplomatic protest over harassment of Filipino fishermen by the Chinese coast guard in Panatag Shoal. 

Bayan secretary-general Renato Reyes said the actions of the Chinese coast guard are unacceptable.

“The ruling of the Permanent Court of Arbitration clearly states that the Philippines enjoys sovereign rights over that area and that Filipino fishermen can fish without any hindrance.”

He said the Chinese coast guard has no right to take away the catch of the Filipino fishermen. 

“They do not own those waters and the resources beneath. The perpetrators should be indentified and reparations should be made to the Filipinos. Government aid should also be provided to the struggling fishermen,” Reyes stressed.

He added China’s actions and the Duterte regime’s silence are just some of the reasons for the protest they will be staging on June 12 at the Liwasang Bonifacio.

The National Democratic Front (NDF) in Mindanao urged the government to immediate respond to the reported harassment of Filipino fishermen by the Chinese coast guard in Panatag Shoal. 

NDF-Mindanao spokesman Joaquin Jacinto said the NDF stands with the Filipinopeople in condemning, on the one hand, the US-Duterte regime’s utter inutility in the face of further encroachment on Philippine territory by China.

The rebels said the outright failure of the Duterte regime to  defend Filipino sovereignty against China’s latest act also brings our country  closer to the brink of a possible war between the US and China.  – With Emmanuel Tupas, Rhodina Villanueva, Ben Serrano