MANILA, Philippines — A Chinese vessel was seen “shadowing” two ships of the Philippine Coast Guard that conducted rotation and resupply (RORE) missions to their outposts in the Kalayaan Group of Islands in the West Philippine Sea (WPS) from Jan. 3 to 9, according to the PCG.
In a statement issued yesterday, the PCG said their two vessels, BRP Cabra and BRP Sindangan, successfully delivered essential supplies to their personnel manning outposts in Kalayaan, specifically on Lawak Island, Panata Island and Pag-asa Island.
PCG spokesman Rear Admiral Armand Balilo said that according to the commanding officers of BRP Cabra and BRP Sindangan, they spotted a Chinese vessel “shadowing” them.
The two officers, however, did not give further details on the “shadowing” incident.
The PCG vessels have safely returned to the Port of Buliluyan in Bataraza, Palawan after completing delivery of essential supplies.
PGG Commandant Admiral Ronnie Gil Gavan reportedly also intends to make improvements on their infrastructure on islands in the WPS and to utilize part of the agency’s additional budget for Fiscal Year 2024 for infrastructure development in order to boost their response and monitoring capabilities in the disputed waters.
Meanwhile, Coast Guard District Palawan Capt. Dennis Labay lauded their personnel for their dedication to duty by actively serving at far-flung PCG units in the WPS, especially during the holiday season.
“While we fully understand that it is part of their job, we also want to lift their morale by allowing them to see their families after performing their duties to the nation. Then, they will prepare and be ready to be deployed again,” Labay added.
The PCG’s RORE was also supported by the Philippine National Police-Maritime Group.
Questionable shipment
In other developments, the Department of National Defense (DND) and Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) should explain the shipment of 39 million gallons of fuel by the US Navy from Pearl Harbor to Subic, Sen. Imee Marcos said.
Marcos, who chairs the Senate committee on foreign relations, lamented that the “inexplicable silence” of both the Philippine and US governments before the voyage only raised suspicions about the pre-positioning of military supplies in the country amid predictions of an eventual war between China and the US over Taiwan.
“This is not just an issue of foreign policy, but of Philippine sovereignty, even environmental safety. The government better have a clear explanation for this,” she said.
Data from several international shipping trackers showed that the oil cargo was loaded at Pearl Harbor on US-registered tanker Yosemite Trader last Dec. 20 and entered Philippine territory last Tuesday. – Cecille Suerte Felipe, Michael Punongbayan