MANILA, Philippines — Marking what’s part of the country, the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) recently installed five navigational buoys in critical areas of the West Philippine Sea (WPS), with each of them bearing the image of the Philippine flag.
In a tweet yesterday, PCG-WPS spokesperson Commodore Jay Tarriela said the navigational buoys were placed by Task Force Kaligtasan sa Karagatan in the areas of Patag Island, Balagtas Reef, Kota Island, Panata Island and Juan Felipe Reef.
The installation of the buoys was done from May 10 to 12.
“The installation of these buoys, adorned with the Philippine flag, signifies the country’s sovereign rights and jurisdiction over the exclusive economic zone (EEZ),” said Tarriela.
“This move highlights the Philippines’ unwavering resolve to protect its maritime borders and resources and contribute to the safety of maritime trade,” he added.
Last Saturday, PCG Vice Admiral Joseph Coyme and Commodore Rommel Supangan conducted a Maritime Domain Awareness flight and inspected the newly installed buoys.
In May last year, the PCG installed five buoys in the WPS. One buoy was placed on Likas Island, Lawak Island and Parola Island, while two buoys were installed on Pag-asa Island to mark the country’s territorial waters and serve as guide to mariners passing by the area.
In a radio interview yesterday, Coyme revealed that they were monitoring several alleged Chinese militia vessels anchored in Philippine-claimed maritime areas.
He said the presence of the PCG in the area does not escalate tensions since the Philippines is intent on applying the diplomatic approach.
“We are not yet in that situation that we would say that there is a heightened tension over the area. With our ships there, we are normally conducting our law enforcement functions pertaining to maritime safety and not provocative in nature,” Coyme said.
It can be recalled that while PCG vessels were conducting maritime patrols in the WPS from April 18 to 24, a Chinese warship with bow number 549 confronted them through a radio challenge some seven nautical miles off Pag-asa Island on April 21.
The PCG vessels stood their ground, demanding that the Chinese leave the area instead.
Last April 23, two Chinese coast guard vessels made dangerous maneuvers near the BRP Malabrigo and BRP Malapascua in the vicinity of Ayungin Shoal. One of the Chinese vessels nearly collided with the PCG’s Malapascua.
PCG modernization
As maritime challenges persist in the WPS, Occidental Mindoro Rep. Leody Tarriela has urged Congress to approve the PCG Modernization Act into law, just as Sen. Bong Go has been pushing for his own bill to modernize the maritime agency in the Senate.
In a statement issued yesterday, the PCG said it is echoing the appeal of Rep. Tarriela for Congress to approve House Bill 8028, the “PCG Modernization Act,” that was filed last May 10, following the filing of Go’s Senate Bill 2112.
“As we continue to expand our workforce and imbibe the spirit of nationalism in every Coast Guardian, now is the perfect time to implement the PCG modernization program,” said Admiral Artemio Abu, PCG commandant.
“We envision the PCG as a symbol of hope and a source of our nation’s pride. Rest assured that HB No. 8028, once passed into law, shall serve as our compass in ensuring a safe and secure Philippine maritime domain,” he added.
HB 8028 recognizes the need for the PCG to enhance its capability in order to guarantee the efficient execution of its mandate. “The current capabilities of the PCG, however, are insufficient to execute its mandates,” Tarriela said.
“This bill, therefore, proposes a modernization program that aims to acquire state-of-the-art air and floating assets and implement interoperable communication systems to safeguard the country’s maritime interests.”
HB 8028 shall be divided into four tiers of development. The first tier will focus on the construction of PCG Response Bases and improving the PCG’s maritime domain awareness capabilities.
The second tier will cover infrastructure development and acquisition of state-of-the-art vessels and equipment to advance its interdiction and maritime law enforcement capabilities.
The third tier is to acquire more offshore patrol vessels to strengthen coastal defense.
The fourth tier is to acquire more air assets to boost airspace security in the country’s EEZ. It also involves the construction of more PCG training facilities to enhance the skills and abilities of its workforce, as well as shipyards and hangars to secure the agency’s assets and equipment, boosting both provincial development and national security.
It will take 12 years to complete all four tiers, but with the passing of this bill, Tarriela is confident that the PCG will be equipped with the necessary tools to operate at the highest level.