PCG admits challenges in patrolling West PHL Sea

The Philippine Coast Guard said on Thursday it still experiences a few challenges in patrolling some parts of the West Philippine Sea due to the presence of Chinese vessels.

According to a report by Ian Cruz on GMA News TV's Balitanghali, the Filipino coast guards and fishermen have access to the West Philippine Sea in general but moving around the Scarborough Shoal or Bajo de Masinloc in Zambales remains to be challenging sometimes.

"Sa Philippine Coast Guard wala naman kaming nae-encounter na problema, although halimbawa pag lumilipad as BDM (Bajo de Masinloc), meron paminsan-minsan na challenge pero parang normal na 'yung ganun. Pero as a matter of operations, tuloy lang din," said PCG spoksperson Commander Armand Balilo.

On the other hand, he said that the Armed Forces of the Philippines leads the monitoring of the portion of the West Philippine Sea in Palawan and that the PCG personnel is being airlifted when they go to Pagasa Island.

Over 200 Chinese vessels were spotted by the military near Pagasa Island from January to March this year, prompting the Department of Foreign Affairs to file a diplomatic protest against China.

Further, Balilo assured that the government will continue to ensure the security in the disputed territories.

"Kung kailangang doblehin yung pagpapatrol at kailangang magkaroon ng pagtatanggol doon sa mga isla, I'm sure lahat ng agencies ng pamahalaan ay gagawin 'yung nararapat," he said.

He also said that local fishermen may still conduct fishing activities in the disputed waters but reminded them to give the PCG personnel a heads up as much as possible so that they may be easily assisted if a contingency arises.

"Ang sasabihin lang naman eh, sir aalis kami, ito yung mga kasama naming ganitong mga tao, that's it. Wala nang pagbabawal na gagawin. Magbabawal lang kami pagka masama ang panahon," Balilo said. —Dona Magsino/LDF, GMA News