Philippines, Canada sign deal vs unidentified, illegal ships

MANILA, Philippines — The Philippines has signed an arrangement with Canada on the use of the latter’s Dark Vessel Detection System (DVD) by the Philippine National Coast Watch Center (NCWC) against illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing in the country’s exclusive economic zone.

The agreement, signed on the sidelines of the 6th Joint Commission for Bilateral Cooperation in Ottawa, Canada on Oct. 12, also aims to bolster maritime domain awareness, as Filipinos deal almost daily with Chinese bullying in the West Philippine Sea.

Ambassador to Canada Maria Andrelita Austria and Canadian Assistant Deputy Minister Adam Burns of the Programs Sector, Department of Fisheries and Oceans (DFO), signed the arrangement.

The DVD System is a program used to counteract moves by some vessels to deliberately turn off their Automatic Identification System (AIS) to shield their illegal activities.

It utilizes layered multi-sensor satellite data from both commercial and government-owned satellite assets to provide near real-time satellite imagery.

It incorporates historical vessel information, environmental data and analytics to support and facilitate analysis.

The system will be jointly managed by the NCWC and Canada’s DFO.

In the face of China’s latest act of harassment in the West Philippine Sea on Friday, the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) reminded the Philippine Navy to be “firm and strong in protecting our people and what belongs to them.”

The AFP said the Chinese navy’s irresponsible behavior is further destroying China’s image before the international community, which has generally acknowledged the Philippines’ position on the South China Sea issue.

AFP spokesman Col. Medel Aguilar said the Oct. 13 rotation and resupply mission for troops on the Rizal Reef Station near Pag-asa Island was completed despite dangerous maneuvers by the Chinese targeting the BRP Benguet.

“Such actions show how they disrespect international laws and conventions and reveal their blatant disregard for the well-being of other people’s lives,” Aguilar said.

In a radio challenge, the BRP Benguet called the attention of the Chinese to their clear violation of the Collision Regulations and demanded that the Chinese vessel steer clear of the Philippine vessel’s path.

“Looking at the video footage, it was the PLA-N (People’s Liberation Army-Navy) that changed its course after the exchanges of challenges. In the exchanges of challenges, our Navy personnel warned them that they are violating specific provisions of Convention on the International Regulations for Preventing Collisions at Sea. Still, the act of deliberately attempting to cross the path of our vessel is irresponsible and unprofessional,” Aguilar told reporters.

“What prevents accident from happening are the navigational skills of our sailors, and the professional and restrained conduct of our people,” he added.

At a meeting yesterday with AFP chief Gen. Romeo Brawner Jr., British Ambassador Laure Beaufils lauded the Marcos administration for standing up to China’s provocations.

“The two agreed on being more vocal in common defense and diplomatic positions, particularly in the situation in the West Philippine Sea, and agreed to explore other means to demonstrate and enhance the partnership between the Philippines and the UK,” AFP public affairs office chief Lt. Col. Enrico Gil Ileto said of the meeting between Brawner and Beaufils.

“The ambassador also shared that London notices the ‘strong position and bold moves’ being made by the present administration in addressing the security challenges in the West Philippine Sea amid China’s dangerous, coercive, illegal and disruptive actions,” he added.