PAF to continue WPS patrols amid China's 'no trespass' rule

The Philippine Air Force (PAF) on Sunday said it will continue to monitor the West Philippine Sea as China starts implementing a policy that would allow the China Coast Guard to detain "foreign trespassers" in the South China Sea.

Interviewed on Super Radyo dzBB, PAF spokesperson Colonel Maria Consuelo Castillo said that conducting maritime patrols over the Philippines’ territorial waters and the features within its exclusive economic zone (EEZ) is inherent in the duties of the country’s air force.

“Patuloy lang talaga ang ating maritime patrol to ensure na namo-monitor natin lahat ng activities both in the air and on the sea, dito sa ating exclusive economic zone, pati na rin sa ating territorial waters,” she said.

(Our maritime patrol will continue to ensure that we monitor all activities both in the air and on the sea, here in our exclusive economic zone, as well as in our territorial waters.) 

In May, China issued a regulation empowering its coast guard to detain foreigners trespassing in the South China Sea for up to 60 days without trial. The policy has reportedly taken effect starting Saturday, June 15.

The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) maintained that the Philippines will not be deterred or intimidated by such a rule.

 “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.

Even the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) stood firm on the Philippines’ position that China’s anti-trespassing policy in the South China Sea, which overlaps with the country’s exclusive economic zone, has no basis.

The PCG also urged Filipino fishermen to continue fishing in the waters despite the Chinese threat.

For the Air Force, Castillo said there is a need for additional air assets, including not just manned aircraft but also unmanned aerial vehicles, to help with their monitoring efforts not just in the West Philippine Sea, but also in the eastern seaboards and southern area of the country. 

She also pointed out that their patrols also help in the government’s anti-smuggling efforts. 

“Actually madalas nagkakaroon tayo talaga ng mga pagpapatrol dito (sa Tawi-Tawi) para matigilan natin ang smuggling at pag-pocket ng illegal products dito sa area na ito,” Castillo said.

(Actually, we often have patrols here in Tawi-Tawi so that we can stop smuggling and the bringing of illegal products in this area.)

Fear of arrest

Joeffrey Elad, president of the Tropical Fish Gatherer Association in Masinloc, Zambales said that some Filipino fishermen are now avoiding certain areas of the West Philippine Sea due to fear of China’s threats.

“Talagang hindi kami pumapalaot banda diyan sa West Philippine Sea, sa Scarborough, kasi ‘yan ang banta na takot sa aming mangingisda na baka kami ay ma-sampolan na mahuli at madala sa China,” he said in a separate dzBB interview.

(We’re no longer fishing there in the West Philippine Sea, in the Scarborough Shoal, because there is a threat to fishermen and we fear that we might get arrested and be taken to China.)

“Tiis-tiis lang kami dito sa malalapit nangingisda ngayon. Kahit na hindi mas marami ang nahuhuli, tiis-tiis lang para walang maging perwisyo sa aming mga kasamahan na mapagbantaan na mahuli ng China,” he added.

(We just have to endure so we’re just just fishing in nearby areas. Even if we don’t catch a lot, we have to bear it so that we don’t get caught by China.)

Elad, however, admits that they still want to continue fishing at Scarborough Shoal as they don’t want to completely lose the feature to Chinese encroachment.

He thus appealed for the government to provide assistance and security to Filipino fishermen who want to return to the shoal, which is also known as the Bajo de Masinloc or Panatag Shoal.

“Nakiusap din ako sa mga tropa naming Philippine Navy na kung maaari, mapagbigyan ang gustong hiling namin na makabalik kami doon kasi kung hindi na natin babalikan ang Bajo de Masinloc, baka lalo nang mawawala sa aming mangingisda ‘yung bahura na ‘yun,” Elad said.

(I’ve asked the Philippine Navy if they could grant our wish of return to Bajo de Masinloc because if we don’t, our fishermen might entirely lose the reef.)—RF, GMA Integrated News