PH ‘won’t be intimidated’ as China enforces 'trespass rule' on June 15 —AFP

“We will not be deterred or intimidated.”

The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) on Friday issued this strong statement as China is set to implement its “no trespassing” policy on Saturday.

“China's so-called anti-trespassing policy undermines the rule of law and international norms that govern maritime conduct. The presence and actions of its vessels in our waters are illegal, coercive, aggressive, and deceptive,” the AFP stated.

“We will continue our maritime patrols in areas within the Philippines' jurisdiction,” the statement added. 

The AFP said it remains steadfast in its mission to protect the nation's rights and ensure the safety of its military personnel and citizens in the West Philippine Sea.

“So tayo naman sa Armed Forces of the Philippines we have made some preparations. Kasama natin dito ang Philippine Coast Guard, Philippine National Police, BFAR, and the other agencies who are concerned also,” said AFP chief Gen. Romeo Brawner Jr. in an interview with reporters. 

(The Armed Forces of the Philippines have made some preparations. We have with us the Philippine Coast Guard, Philippine National Police, BFAR, and other concerned agencies.) 

“So kasama rin natin dito yung hindi lang tayo na nasa uniformed services but also the other government agencies and especially yung mga mismong mangingisda natin because sila ang apektado, tayong lahat apektado by this. So we really have to work together,” he added. 

(It’s not just the uniformed services but also the other government agencies and of course, our fishermen because they are the ones who are directly affected by the situation. We are all actually affected by this. So we really have to work together.) 

Keep fishing

Brawner also urged Filipino fishermen to keep fishing in the waters under the Philippines' exclusive economic zone.

"Ganun po yung mensahe namin sa ating mangingisda, sinabi po namin sa kanila is that for them not to be afraid but just to go ahead with their normal activities na mangisda dun sa ating exclusive economic zone,'' he said.

(That's our message to our fishermen, for them not to be afraid but to just go ahead with their normal activities in our exclusive economic zone.)

''We have the right to exploit the resources in the area so kaya po ay di dapat matakot yung ating mga mangingisda. Anyway nandiyan po ang inyong Armed Forces of the Philippines, ang ating Philippine Navy pati na rin po ang Philippine Coast Guard.''

(We have the right to exploit the resources in the area so our fishermen have no reason to be afraid. Anyway, your Armed Forces of the Philippines, the Philippine Navy, and the Philippine Coast Guard are here.)

Filipino fishermen in Zambales said they would continue their livelihood by fishing at the Bajo de Masinloc in the West Philippine Sea despite China’s policy to arrest anyone caught trespassing in its territorial claims beginning June 15. 

“Iniisip po namin ‘yun, yung takot, pero mas nangingibabaw po sa amin kasi, ‘yung hanapbuhay mas importante po kasi sa amin eh,” said Henrelito Empoc, spokesperson of the Bigkis ng Mangingisda Federation, in an interview with SuperRadyo dzBB. 

“Walang karapatan sila na magpatupad ng ganyang batas dahil atin po ang teritoryo na ‘yan. Atin po ang karagatan na ‘yan. Atin po ang West Philippine Sea na nasasakop ng EEZ, exclusive economic zone,” he added. 

In May, China issued a regulation empowering its coast guard to detain foreigners trespassing in the South China Sea

The China Coast Guard (CCG) can detain trespassers without trial, the South China Morning Post reported, citing a regulatory document of Beijing set to take effect on June 15.

“Foreigners suspected of illegally passing China's borders can be held for up to 60 days," according to the media report.

Responding to concerns, the Chinese foreign ministry has said previously the new rules were meant to protect the maritime order, and that there was no need to worry if there was no illegal behavior by the individuals and bodies involved.

China claims almost the entire South China Sea, a conduit for more than $3 trillion in annual ship commerce. Its territorial claims overlap with those of the Philippines, Vietnam, Malaysia and Brunei.

In 2016, an international arbitration tribunal in The Hague ruled that China's claims over the South China Sea have no legal basis, a decision that Beijing does not recognize. —with reports from Vince Angelo Ferreras and Reuters/LDF/VBL, GMA Integrated News