Gibo: Philippines not provoking Chinese in WPS

MANILA, Philippines —  It is China that is provoking the Philippines into resisting Beijing’s aggressive actions in the West Philippine Sea, Defense Secretary Gilbert Teodoro said yesterday.

Teodoro was reacting to the Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman’s claim that the Philippines is provoking Chinese vessels in the West Philippine Sea.

During the Department of National Defense (DND)’s budget briefing at the Senate, Teodoro said the Philippines would continue its whole-of-government approach in peacefully settling disputes while asserting the country’s sovereign claims over waters within its exclusive economic zone.

“We are not the one provoking them. We are just reacting to their actions. They are the ones provoking us,” he said in Filipino during the hearing.

Teodoro was citing the China Coast Guard’s illegal installation of a 300-meter floating barrier near Panatag or Scarborough Shoal off Zambales supposedly to block Filipino fisherfolk from going to their traditional fishing grounds.

“They are the ones blocking our fishermen. They are the ones putting the barrier in Scarborough Shoal. But that is ours under international law,” he said.

He was reacting to a statement by Chinese foreign ministry spokesman Wang Wenbin, who hit back at the Philippines for removing the floating barrier that blocked access to Filipino fisherfolk.

“That’s what the Philippines tells itself… We call on the Philippines not to make provocation or stir up trouble,” Wang said at his regular press briefing last Tuesday.

“Is that provocation for them?” Teodoro said in Filipino during an ambush interview before the budget hearing yesterday. “What is the more provocative action – the installation of a floating barrier, or the removal of an illegal blockade?”

The DND chief maintained his previous statements that China is intent on “invading” the West Philippine Sea with the deployment of its coast guard and maritime militia posing as fishing vessels.

“They really have an intent to control the whole South China Sea. That is clear in their 10-dash line. So we need to oppose that and assert our sovereign rights and territorial jurisdiction,” he said.

House official denounces China

House Deputy Minority Leader France Castro yesterday “strongly denounced” the Chinese Foreign Ministry for saying that the Philippines had intruded in Scarborough Shoal “without their permission.”

Castro, who represents the ACT Teachers party-list, said she could not believe “China’s audacity in making such claims.”

“Excuse me, it is the Chinese government who is intruding in our territory and exclusive economic zone. Now, they have the temerity to say that we need their permission for our fisherfolk to fish in our own waters,” she added.

China should have realized that there are other countries in Asia with their own territories, according to the lawmaker, citing that the Philippines “has sovereign rights over Scarborough Shoal and its surrounding waters.”

“China should wake up from its delusion and face the reality. The Philippines has every right to protect its territorial integrity and ensure the welfare of its people. China has no right to dictate our actions within our own territory,” she said.

Castro called on the Philippine government to assert its sovereignty and defend the rights of Filipino fishermen in Scarborough Shoal.

“We must stand firm against China’s attempts to undermine our sovereignty. The Philippine government must prioritize the welfare and interests of our people, especially our fisherfolk who heavily rely on the resources in Scarborough Shoal,” she added.

Wescom chief leads WPS patrol

Aboard one of the most advanced warships of the Philippine Navy, Vice Admiral Alberto Carlos, who holds a rank equivalent to a three-star general, personally led a patrol mission and visited troops stationed at four Philippine-occupied islands in the West Philippine Sea.

As commander of the Western Command (WESCOM) of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), Carlos joined other ranking officers and military personnel on a trip to Pagasa, Parola, Likas and Lawak islands last Friday utilizing the missile-frigate BRP Antonio Luna.

During his visit, Carlos focused on engaging with troops, conducting facility inspections, holding a flag-raising ceremony, providing additional supplies and provisions and reinforcing the morale of all personnel stationed in the islands.

WESCOM yesterday reported how the ranking military official engaged in discussions with the different AFP, Philippine National Police and Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) personnel deployed at the remote island detachments.

Carlos underscored the importance of their role in safeguarding the country’s territorial integrity and sovereignty, expressing his gratitude for their unwavering dedication in performing their duties despite their challenging circumstances.

“Your dedication and commitment are truly commendable, embodying the strength and resolve of our nation,” he said while lauding the troops for their “unwavering resilience and sacrifices in defending the country’s national interest and protecting its people.”

The WESCOM chief said he also conducted inspections of the facilities on Pagasa, Parola, Likas and Lawak islands and ensured that the installations are well-maintained to effectively support the troops stationed there, enhance their operational capabilities and contribute to a safe and secure environment in the region.

In a simple yet symbolic flag-raising ceremony, Carlos joined the troops in reaffirming the Philippines’ ownership and control over territories, which the military said is “a poignant reminder of the strong resolve of the Filipino troops to defend their homeland and protect the country’s maritime heritage in the West Philippine Sea.”

The routine patrol mission was carried out amid rising tensions in the disputed waters following recent actions by China, including how it placed floating barriers in the vicinity of Panatag (Scarborough) Shoal or Bajo de Masinloc, which the PCG has already removed.

Philippines-US joint drill

Meanwhile, warships and other assets of the Philippine Navy are scheduled to once again team up with the United States military for a two-week joint training exercise next week in the waters off Southern Luzon.

Experts from the navies of at least seven other nations are also set to participate in this year’s SAMASAMA Exercise, a bilateral exercise between the US Navy and the Philippine Navy that aims to further strengthen international defense cooperation and advance a rules-based international order.

AFP Public Affairs Office chief Lt. Col. Enrico Gil Ileto said the events would be held from Oct. 2 to 13 at the Naval Forces Southern Luzon area of operations.

Ileto yesterday announced that exercise activities were designed to further enhance the Philippine Navy’s naval warfare capabilities as the country’s offshore combat force for maritime security operations.

“They will cover the fundamentals of anti-submarine warfare, anti-surface warfare, anti-air warfare and electronic warfare. The interoperability exercises with the US Navy will focus on war-fighting serials,” he said.

He added that the training would also strive to further improve maritime integration and combined interoperability with the Japan Maritime Self Defense Force, Royal Australian Navy, Royal Canadian Navy and the United Kingdom Royal Navy through subject-matter expert exchanges (SMEEs) and humanitarian assistance and disaster response table-top events.

The French Navy and Royal Australian Navy will send personnel to join the SMEEs while the Royal New Zealand Navy and Indonesian Navy will be in the exercise as observers.

Ileto said the Terms of Reference with participating non-status of Visiting Forces Agreement Partner countries have already been approved and signed in accordance with Philippine laws.

The opening ceremony on Oct. 2 will be held at the Philippine Navy headquarters with Vice Admiral Toribio Adaci as the guest of honor. –  Sheila Crisostomo, Michael Punongbayan