AFP eyes more vessels, aircraft for West PH Sea patrols

From the Philippine News Agency (Aug 11, 2023): AFP eyes more vessels, aircraft for West PH Sea patrols (By Priam Nepomuceno)

INTENSIFIED PATROLS. Wescom commander Vice Admiral Alberto Carlos (left) and AFP chief Gen. Romeo Brawner Jr. answer questions during a press briefing in Puerto Princesa City, Palawan on Thursday afternoon (Aug. 10, 2023). Brawner said the military is looking at the possibility of deploying more ships and aircraft to guard and secure the country's exclusive economic zone in the West Philippine Sea. (Photo by Izza Reynoso)

MANILA – The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) said it is looking at the possibility of deploying more ships and aircraft to guard and secure the country's exclusive economic zone (EEZ) in the West Philippine Sea (WPS).

"Yes, definitely we have plans to deploy more ships and more even yung mga aircraft natin para mabantayan natin yung ating exclusive economic zone. So hindi lang yung pagbantay dito but we really have to establish our presence in the area (Yes, definitely we have plans to deploy more ships and even our aircraft to secure our EEZ. That is not only for guarding our territories there but we really have to establish our presence in the area)," AFP chief Gen. Romeo Brawner Jr. said in a press briefing at the Western Command (Wescom) headquarters in Palawan on Thursday afternoon.

This came after Wescom reported that as of Aug. 9, about 400 foreign vessels were detected in the country's EEZ.

Brawner also said they are looking at tapping reservists for sea duty to help protect the country's vast waters and this is part of their plan to develop the Reserve Force.

He added that they are eyeing Filipino fisherfolk who could be trained to do their part in defending the country.

Brawner said this proposal is in the implementation stage and the AFP is waiting "for the platforms or the vessels that they are going to use."

Asked about the timeline for this measure, he said this would depend on the availability of funds.

Brawner said they would also request additional funding from Congress to improve facilities and beef up their presence in the WPS.

‘Do another run’

Wescom commander Vice Admiral Alberto Carlos, meanwhile, said the report on the number of foreign vessels detected in the area was based on their latest monitoring on Aug. 9.

Carlos said only half of the intended supplies for the troops at the BRP Sierra Madre reached the destination due to one of the civilian vessels being drenched.

“We need to do another run before the supplies run out in LS 57. We’re going to do that again in two weeks’ time. Earliest next week, hopefully, but definitely before the supplies run out,” he said.

Carlos expressed hope for a smoother and safer journey during the upcoming rotation and resupply mission, wishing for no further incidents.

"It is our prayer that there will be no more water cannon incidents and less aggressive reception from the other side, especially because of the international attention that this incident generated,” he said.

Carlos estimated that 85 percent of the 400 vessels are "Chinese" and that 191 of them are in the vicinity of Mischief Reef, also known as Panganiban Reef.

Mischief Reef is about 134 nautical miles away from Palawan.

"Our suspicion is that they're militia vessels taking orders from the China Coast Guard (CCG). The incident last weekend suggests that our suspicion might be true. How to confirm that – we're still working on that one," Carlos said.

On Aug. 5, about 12 Chinese militia ships were spotted along with six CCG ships that blocked and fired water cannons at Filipino supply boats headed for the Philippine Navy ship BRP Sierra Madre at the Ayungin Shoal.

Support

A workers’ group, meanwhile, supported the idea of prioritizing the development and deployment of citizen soldiers as a proactive response to the current scenario in the West Philippine Sea.

Federation of Free Workers (FFW) national vice president Jun Ramirez said Friday the initiative steers away from the military alone and the common practice of merely increasing intelligence funds but rather seeks a more direct and participative method to support the national interest.

"The defense of the country against foreign aggression or protecting our territorial integrity is a duty of every citizen, not only of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP)," he said in a statement.

On the other hand, FFW national treasurer Alfredo Maranan underscored the vital role of citizen participation in defense strategies.

"The collective responsibility to defend our nation transcends the military or our navy. It rests with every Filipino,” he said.

The labor group official believed that empowering citizen soldiers is pivotal in asserting national rights and interests.

"This grassroots approach not only enhances our maritime defenses but also deepens our collective commitment to preserving the integrity and sovereignty of the Philippine territories," Maranan added. (with reports from Izza Reynoso and Ferdinand Patinio/PNA)

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1207616