AFP: Missions to continue in PH territory despite Chinese aggression

The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) has assured that it will continue to implement missions in areas covered by the Philippines’ exclusive economic zone, despite China’s continuous harassment in the West Philippine Sea.

According to AFP deputy chief of staff Lt. Gen. Sean Gaerlan, missions will continue which is why they will need the support of the Filipino people.

“We continue to deploy our forces — ‘yung ating mga (our) Navy, ‘yung ating mga (our) Air Force in that area to show that we really own that area,” he said in a report by Darlene Cay on GMA’s “24 Oras Weekend” on Sunday.

“So kahit ano man mangyari na incidents (whatever incidents happen), we continue to do our missions there, that is why we are asking the Filipino people to support us,” he added.

Earlier on Sunday, vessels of the Chinese Coast Guard rammed and use water cannons on the BRP Datu Sanday of the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) en route to the Escoda or Sabina Shoal.

The area, located 75 nautical miles or about 140 kilometers off Palawan, is within the Philippines’ 200-nautical mile EEZ under the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea.

In the same report, DLSU Department of International Studies’ Dr. Renato Castro said China’s moves can worsen, and the Philippines must do its part in implementing its strategies as the area is very strategic.

“Kapag na-control nila ‘yan, talagang maka-cut off na nila ‘yung ating mga land features na ino-occupy natin (If they gain control of it, they will really be able to cut off the land features that we occupy),” he said.

“Gigil na gigil na po sa atin eh. Sa tingin nila napakalakas nila at makapangyarihan nila, pumapalag tayo (They are getting frustrated with us. They see themselves as strong and powerful but we are fighting back),” he said in a separate interview on GMA Super Radyo DZBB aired in the same report.

The Philippines in 2013 challenged China over its claims on the West Philippine Sea, where Manila scored a victory and a landmark ruling by an international tribunal which invalidated Beijing’s claims.

China, however, has claimed ownership of the area, and has refused to acknowledge the Permanent Court of Arbitration’s 2016 ruling that invalidated its nine-dash line. 

Beijing in 2022 claimed that it will continue to adhere to what it described as a “friendly consultation” with the Philippines after several Chinese vessels have been found “swarming” areas in the West Philippine Sea.

The Philippines has already filed a total of 153 diplomatic protests against China regarding the territorial dispute under the administration of President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. —Jon Viktor Cabuenas/RF, GMA Integrated News