PH prepares contingency plans for West PH Sea

From Rappler (Jun 4): PH prepares contingency plans for West PH Sea

Defense Secretary Voltaire Gazmin says, 'Anything can happen but we are preparing a contingency for this'

The Philippines is preparing contingency plans for the West Philippine Sea.

This, following an incident that involved a Chinese ship that rammed and sank a Vietnamese fishing boat, amid tense confrontation over Beijing's deployment of an oil rig.

"Anything can happen. Anything can happen but we are preparing a contingency for this," Defense Secretary Voltaire Gazmin told reporters on June 4, Wednesday, when asked about the fears of the department.

Gazmin refused to elaborate on the contingency plans.

Troops earlier told Rappler about their fears of possible "miscalculation" in the next rotation mission to Ayungin Shoal, a flashpoint in the maritime dispute between Manila and Beijing. The Philippine Navy rotated troops in March after successfully evading a Chinese blockade. (READ: Troops fear miscalculation in next mission ot Ayungin)

"Tayo ay nababahala pero hindi naman tayo kinakabahan. Ito'y ating responsibilidad na bigyan ng resupply yung ating mga tao dun at yung iro-rotate natin yung kanilang personnel doon sa area. Kasama doon sa trabaho so hindi kailangan kabahan," Gazmin said. (We are concerned but we are not nervous. It is our responsibility to resupply our people there and to rotate personnel in the area. That's part of our work so no need to be nervous.)

In 2012, Manila withdrew from a tense standoff with Beijing over Panatag (Scarborough) Shoal located off the coast of Zambales. The Chinese Coast Guard now occupying the shoal has driven away Filipino fishermen through water cannon attacks.

There has been no reported incident of Chinese ships ramming Philippine vessels.

The Philippines is pursuing a peaceful resolution of the maritime conflict. It filed an arbitration case against China before the Permanent Court of Arbitration based in The Netherlands. (READ: Tribunal orders China to answer PH pleading)

http://www.rappler.com/nation/59629-contingency-plan-west-philippines-sea