The Palace praised the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) for protecting the country's Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) against Taiwanese Coast Guard, a report on GMA News TV's State of the Nation with Jessica Soho said on Wednesday.
Presidential Communications Operations Office Sec. Sonny Coloma said that the PCG was just upholding the laws when it sent a warning to the Taiwanese Coast Guard to leave the Philippine EEZ.
"Kaya naman nila ini-enforce iyong ang ating mga batas. Kapag meron silang natunton o nakita na lumalabag dito ay sinisita at isinasagawa iyon ayon sa batas," he explained.
The standoff happened 23 nautical miles east of Itbayat Island in Batanes. But the Taiwanese insisted that they are patrolling their area.
Below is the the exchange of radio communications of the two coast guards:
- Taiwanese Coast Guard: This is Taiwan Coast Guard.
- PCG: What is your intention? You said you are now leaving? Why are you still here?
- Taiwanese Coast Guard: we are not leaving. We are not leaving.
- PCG: This is our territory. You do not have any rights here.
- Taiwanese Coast Guard: This is our Exclusive Economic Zone. This is our Exclusive Economic Zone. We have rights to stay here. We are not leaving.
After two hours of standoff, Taiwanese Coast Guard left the area.
However, the Taipei Economic and Cultural Office (TECO) said that the incident happened in the two countries' overlapping EEZs and not in Philippines' territorial waters.
"Therefore, the Taiwanese Coast Guard is entitled to exercise its rights and to do obligation to protect Taiwanese fishing vessels in the EEZs," a TECO statement said.
It also noted that the encounter between the officers were "friendly and amicable" despite language barriers and miscommunications.
Overlapping EEZs: Cause of confrontation
In an interview with GMA News TV's News To Go on Wednesday morning, Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) Director Asis Perez said that the overlapping EEZs between Philippines' and Taiwan's respective territories have been the cause of standoffs.
However, the Philippines does not have a direct diplomatic relations with Taiwan because of the One-China policy.
"Hindi ganoon ka-simple ang usapin sa Taipei. Wala tayong existing diplomatic relations with them... Doon sa puntong iyon, iyon ang kailangang ayusin in a different way at iyong mga informal na usapan lang ang nangyayari diyan," Perez said.
But, the two countries may sign a law enforcement and fisheries agreement before the year ends.
But, the two countries may sign a law enforcement and fisheries agreement before the year ends.
Relations between the two country soured in 2013 when a PCG killed a fisherman after it opened fire on a Taiwanese fishing boat.
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