MANILA, Philippines — Filipinos defending or “making excuses” for China’s aggressive actions in the West Philippine Sea are “unpatriotic” and “traitors,” the spokesman for the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) said yesterday.
“If you are a Filipino, whether in government or private sector, regardless of your politics, defending and making excuses for China’s aggressive behavior should deem you unpatriotic, and a traitor to the Philippines and to our people,” PCG spokesman Commodore Jay Tarriela said in a post on X (formerly Twitter).
“Given current developments in the West Philippine Sea, it is important to show loyalty to country because the West Philippine Sea’s resources are for Filipinos,” he said. Tarriela did not name names or cite his reason for making such pronouncement.
He also said Filipinos should not use their constitutional rights of freedom of speech and freedom of expression to justify China’s aggression.
“While I recognize freedom of speech as an important right guaranteed by our Constitution, it should not be misused as a means to justify unpatriotic actions by acting as China’s mouthpiece,” the PCG official said.
“All Filipinos should unite in calling out China’s aggressive and unlawful actions in the West Philippine Sea. Together, we should stand united in protecting our nation’s interests and pursuing a peaceful resolution to the issues,” Tarriela maintained.
Last Aug. 5, six China Coast Guard ships and two Chinese maritime militia vessels blocked BRP Cabra, BRP Malabrigo and two other Filipino vessels that were on their way to Ayungin Shoal to deliver provisions to a small Marine outpost on the grounded BRP Sierra Madre. The Chinese used water cannons to stop the Philippines vessels from reaching the Sierra Madre.
Only one supply boat managed to slip past the blockade to unload the provisions consisting of food, water and other essentials.
With the Armed Forces of the Philippines poised to resume its Ayungin resupply mission, the global community is expected to be more watchful of China’s next move.
Documented aggression
AFP spokesman Col. Medel Aguilar said videos and photos of the Ayungin incident have further exposed to the world China’s brazenness in asserting its invalid claims in the West Philippine Sea.
“In our next RORE (rotation and resupply), the world will be watching,” Aguilar said at a briefing.
“All eyes on us, so let the people know the disrespect, the offensive action, the unlawful actions the Chinese coast guard is committing against our countrymen in the West Philippine Sea,” he said.
He stressed that greater planning and preparations would be done to ensure the success of future RORE missions.
Meanwhile, Defense Secretary Gilbert Teodoro has embarked on a tour of military facilities and communities where US forces would be given access under the Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement (EDCA).
Department of National Defense (DND) spokesman Arsenio Andolong said Teodoro started on Wednesday with a visit to Cagayan where he attended a town hall meeting hosted by Calayan Mayor Joseph Llopis and the Sangguniang Bayan.
Andolong said the engagement allowed Teodoro to personally interact with local officials, and discussed matters related to security and collaboration between the local government and the defense sector.
On the same day, the DND chief visited the headquarters of the 4th Marine Brigade at Camp Cape Bojeador, Ilocos Norte.
The first five EDCA sites in the country are Fort Magsaysay, Nueva Ecija; Antonio Bautista Air Base in Palawan; Basa Air Base in Pampanga; Lumbia Airport in Cagayan de Oro, and the Benito Ebuen Air Base in Mactan, Cebu.
Earlier this year, the Philippines and the US agreed to add four more sites –Naval Base Camilo Osias in Sta. Ana, Cagayan; Lal-lo Airport in Lal-lo, Cagayan; Camp Melchor Dela Cruz in Gamu, Isabela, and Balabac Island in Palawan. – Evelyn Macairan