Philippines, US begin joint WPS patrols by yearend

MANILA, Philippines — Joint maritime patrols in the West Philippine Sea between the Philippines and the United States are expected to begin by the end of the year.

“The discussions between the Philippines and the US on the joint sails in the West Philippine Sea are now in the advance stages,” National Security Council assistant director and National Task Force on the West Philippine Sea spokesman Jonathan Malaya said at a Laging Handa public briefing yesterday.

Efforts to have joint maritime patrols with the US stemmed from the various incidents between the Philippines and China in the West Philippine Sea in the past years.

Just last Saturday, a supply boat commissioned by the Philippine Navy that was being escorted by a Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) vessel was again harassed by the China Coast Guard (CCG).

The rotation and resupply mission to Ayungin Shoal where soldiers are stationed at the BRP Sierra Madre failed after a Chinese vessel fired a water cannon to drive away the resupply boat.

“Some details are being ironed out between both sides and we are very hopeful that it will (be) launched before the end of this year,” Malaya said.

The joint maritime patrols are expected to help promote freedom of navigation in the West Philippine Sea and South China Sea and prevent similar incidents from happening.

Malaya said President Marcos called a command conference on Monday to discuss the water cannon attack and the government has “a menu of options on what it can do moving forward.”

“For reasons of national security, I cannot divulge it right now because we cannot be telegraphing our punches,” he said.

Malaya nevertheless gave assurance that National Security Adviser Eduardo Año has stressed that “we (will) never abandon Ayungin Shoal.”

“There was never any promise in the past that we will abandon Ayungin Shoal and we are committed to Ayungin and we will keep on resupplying our troops because Ayungin Shoal is a symbol of our sovereignty,” he said.

On China’s claim that the Philippines had promised to remove the grounded BRP Sierra Madre from Ayungin Shoal, Malaya said there is no record of such pledge or agreement and challenged China to show proof.

“We’re also wondering about the basis of that statement from the Chinese embassy because if you ask anyone from under this administration or previous administration, there’s no such commitment or promise,” he emphasized.

“If China firmly believes there’s an agreement, then they should identify who promised them because it might not have been an official of government,” he added.

Int’l condemnation

Meanwhile, United States Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin III slammed the CCG yesterday for its water cannon attack on a supply boat delivering food and other supplies to the Sierra Madre at Ayungin.

He condemned the use of water cannon and other dangerous maneuvers which put the safety of Philippine vessels and crew at risk.

Austin joined numerous other countries in expressing concern about these “unsafe operational activities, which undermine the status quo and directly threaten regional peace and stability.”

The ranking US official issued the statement during a phone call with Defense Secretary Gilbert Teodoro, when they discussed the US-Philippines alliance and cooperation.

Pentagon press secretary Brig. Gen. Pat Ryder said both defense chiefs discussed recent events in the South China Sea, including China’s efforts to obstruct the resupply mission to Ayungin Shoal.

He said Austin and Teodoro, during their conversation, reaffirmed their shared commitment to upholding the rules-based order, including supporting the Philippines’ right to conduct lawful maritime activities, consistent with the 2016 Arbitral Tribunal ruling, which is final and binding on all parties. – Pia Lee-Brago