By Priam Nepomuceno
Bigger groupings of CMMs were sighted at the artificial islands built
by China while some were observed near islands occupied by the Philippines, a
statement signed by NTF WPS chair and National Security Adviser Hermogenes
Esperon Jr. showed.
The body said the Philippine maritime patrol sighted two CMM vessels
and two Houbei-class missile warships inside Panganiban (Mischief) Reef, one
CMM off Lawak (Nanshan) Island, 11 CMM vessels located approximately 29
nautical miles southwest of Recto (Reed) Bank; and another CMM vessel off
Ayungin (Second Thomas) Shoal.
A Chinese Coast Guard (CCG) vessel was seen at the shoal during an
earlier patrol last May 7.
"As for the features forming part of the Pagkakaisa (Union) Banks,
the 9 May 2021 maritime patrol reported the presence of 34 CMMs at Juan Felipe
(Whitsun) Reef (JFR), two Vietnamese (VN) logistics/supply ships, and one VN
Coast Guard vessel at Sin Cowe East (Grierson) Reef and 77 CMMs in Chigua
Reef," the NTF WPS said.
The body also emphasized that Julian Felipe Reef is a low tide
elevation (LTE) located 175 nautical miles from Bataraza, Palawan, and within
the country's 200-nautical mile EEZ.
"It is part of Philippine territory inasmuch as it is located
within the overlapping 12 NM (nautical mile) territorial seas of McKennan
(Chigua) Reef and of another possible high-tide feature, Grierson (Sin Cowe
East) Reef, also our territories under the Municipality of Kalayaan," it
added.
From May 3 to 10, the Area Task Force–North reported an average of four
CCG vessels at Bajo de Masinloc (BdM) (Scarborough Shoal), and an average of
one CCG each for both the Pag-asa Islands and Ayungin (Second Thomas) Shoal.
"Despite China’s illegal unilateral 'fishing ban' covering its
fishing vessels in waters north of 12 degrees latitude in the South China Sea,
from 1 May to August 16, 2021, two CMMs were nonetheless observed harvesting
shells inside the lagoon of the BdM," NTF WPS said.
It also reported that an average of 10 Filipino fishing boats were seen
fishing inside the BdM lagoon from May 7 to 9.
"The ATF-West 9 May 2021 maritime patrol reported 14 CMM vessels
and one CCG vessel positioned off the main Pag-asa Island, and 16 CMMs at
Zamora (Subi) Reef. An earlier 6 May 2021 patrol sighted 24 CMMs, complemented
by one CCG anchored at the Pag-asa Cays showing no visible activity," the
body said.
It added that the same patrol observed two CMMs at Panata Island; one
Vietnamese fishing vessel off Kota (Loaita) Island; 64 CMM in Burgos (Gaven)
Reef North; two Vietnamese fisheries surveillance ships off Paredes (Discovery
Great) Reef; and one Chinese rescue service ship, three People's Liberation
Army-Navy (PLAN) warships and 55 CMM vessels at Kagitingan (Fiery Cross) Reef.
"In line with Presidential directives, the NTF WPS is undertaking
continuous law enforcement function and maritime exercises in the WPS. The PCG
(Philippine Coast Guard) and the BFAR (Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic
Resources) are coordinating their efforts under the former’s Task Force
Pagsasanay, and deployed PCG BRP Malapascua (MRRV-4003), BFAR MCS 3001 and 3008
at the Municipality of Kalayaan, while PCG BRP Sindangan (MRRV-4407) and BFAR
MCS 3005 are covering the area of BdM," the body said.
It added that PCG and BFAR vessels are being complemented by the
Philippine National Police–Maritime Group (PNP-MG) through the assignment of
four high-speed tactical watercraft, three police gunboats, and police fast
boats to patrol the municipal waters and portions of the country's EEZ in the
WPS.
These police water assets are under the Regional Maritime Units 1, 3,
4B and personnel of the 2nd Special Operations Unit based in Palawan.
"Moreover, PNP-MG personnel to be posted at the Municipality of
Kalayaan are set to depart on 15 May 2021," it added.
NTF WPS said these efforts are in wake of the April 27 and 29 Sabina
Shoal law enforcement function and maritime exercises where the PCG challenged
and successfully dispersed seven and five CMM vessels, respectively, for
illegally encroaching in the country's EEZ.
"On 7 and 8 May 2021, government vessels again spotted CMM vessels
illegally occupying Sabina Shoal. BFAR MCS 3001 accompanied by BFAR MCS 3008
challenged and dispersed three CMMs on both days," it added.
Due to the shallow waters inside the reef, the BFAR launched rubber
boats to escort the CMMs out of the shoal.
"On 4 May 2021, PCG BRP Sindangan, traveling with BFAR MCS 3005,
was illegally shadowed by a CCG vessel and issued two radio challenges while
approaching BdM," it added.
This incident along with the continued illegal incursions of foreign
vessels sighted near Philippine-held islands have been submitted to the
relevant agencies for possible diplomatic actions.
"The Philippine government continues to strengthen its presence in
the WPS with a view towards law enforcement, deterrence of illegal, unreported,
unregulated fishing (IUUF), and protection of the welfare and safety of our
fisherfolk. The latter are encouraged to sail and fish in the WPS," NTF
WPS said.
It added that NTF WPS remains guided by the national policy and
interest in asserting our territorial and sovereign rights as upheld by the
2016 arbitral ruling.
"The articulation of President Rodrigo Roa Duterte at the 75th UN
General Assembly emphasizing that the ruling is now part of international law
and beyond compromise remains the supreme expression of foreign policy by this
government. We reiterate that the Philippines shall continue to defend its
sovereignty, sovereign rights, and jurisdiction over the West Philippine Sea,
and shall not yield an inch of our territory," the body said. (PNA)