More resources needed to protect Ayungin Shoal from degradation

From the Philippine News Agency (Jul 5, 2023): More resources needed to protect Ayungin Shoal from degradation (By Priam Nepomuceno)

Naval Forces West chief Commodore Alan Javier (Photo courtesy of Wescom)

MANILA – There is a need to allocate additional troops and law enforcement resources to fully protect the resources of Ayungin Shoal to combat illegal activities that threaten its ecosystem.

Naval Forces West (NFW) chief Commodore Alan Javier made this remark during his visit to the BRP Sierra Madre (LS-57) and personnel manning the Navy ship last June 29.

These additional troops and law enforcement assets will help prevent illegal activities in the area like the use of compressors, cyanides and more recently “superlights” or fishing light attractors.

Javier managed to visit BRP Sierra Madre as he joined the routine rotation of troops and reprovisioning (RoRe) mission, which aims to ensure the well-being of soldiers stationed at BRP Sierra Madre.

"Commodore Alan M. Javier, the AFP (Armed Forces of the Philippines) Western Command’s (Wescom) NFW's commander, recently visited Ayungin Shoal's lone outpost, BRP Sierra Madre as part of his responsibilities to assess the welfare of troops deployed in the area. His visit marks the second high-ranking AFP officer to visit the outpost this year," Wescom spokesperson Commander Joseph Ariel Coloma said in a statement forwarded Wednesday.

The NFW chief boarded the same civilian-contracted wooden resupply boat that Wescom chief Vice Admiral Alberto Carlos had used during his visit to the station last June.

The visit allowed Javier to personally witness the conditions faced by troops on the frontlines and gain firsthand insight into their challenges.

"Amidst the focus on troop welfare, the presence of Filipino fishermen in Ayungin Shoal has also garnered attention. These fishermen now enjoy regular fishing activities, thanks to the assurance provided by the presence of the troops from LS-57. The soldiers actively support and protect the fishing rights of these Filipino fishermen in the vicinity of Ayungin Shoal, providing them with additional food, water, and even shelter during inclement weather conditions," Coloma said.

Meanwhile, Navy Lt. (junior grade) Darwin S. Datwin, BRP Sierra Madre's outgoing officer-in-charge, emphasized the necessity of enhancing law enforcement efforts to provide Filipino fishermen with better opportunities to fish and protect the country's marine resources.

“We need more troops and law enforcement platforms to better protect our territory from the illegal activities that destroy our natural resources and rob our countrymen of their rightful share in our country’s marine wealth,” he added when asked about his insights during his tour of duty aboard BRP Sierra Madre.

Coloma said Javier's visit reaffirmed their "unwavering commitment" to safeguard Philippine sovereignty and sovereign rights in the country’s western border.

He added that troops stationed at BRP Sierra Madre served as a testament to this commitment, diligently protecting and defending national interests amidst increasing challenges in the West Philippine Sea.

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1204979