By NG Seruela
The National Task Force for the West Philippine Sea (NTF-WPS) assured that the Philippines “maintains the deployment of law enforcement patrols and maritime exercises” in the West Philippine Sea.
In a statement issued by the NTF-WPS on Tuesday (May 4), the country will “maintain” its patrols and exercises through Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) and Department of Agriculture – Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) vessels on a “rotational basis over the waters of the Municipality of Kalayaan and our Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ).”
“This is pursuant to our exercise of sovereignty, sovereign rights, and jurisdiction over the West Philippine Sea (WPS), consistent with the government’s commitment against illegal unreported and unregulated fishing (IUUF), and to enforce our laws on maritime security and safety and environmental protection,” the task force asserted.
It said the BFAR will implement its Integrated Maritime Environment Monitoring System (IMEMS) to “counter IUUF, for the monitoring of fishing vessels, and accounting of fishing catches and landings to ensure effective and efficient fisheries management.”
The Philippine National Police – Maritime Group (PNP-MG) Regional Maritime Units are also expected to join the maritime patrols in the area.
Meanwhile, the NTF-WPS stated that it “welcomes” the recent diplomatic protests filed by the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) against the “illegal” Chinese activities within the Philippine territory.
“We condemn in the strongest terms the shadowing, blocking, dangerous maneuvers, and radio challenges conducted by the Chinese Coast Guard (CCG) against PCG vessels BRP Gabriela Silang and BRP Sindangan, during legitimate law enforcement patrols and maritime exercises while in the vicinity of Bajo de Masinloc (BdM) on 24-25 April 2021, as a violation of our sovereignty.”
“The NTF-WPS reiterates that our fisherfolk are encouraged to go out and fish in our waters in the WPS,” it emphasized.
The task force highlighted that it will not be discouraged from defending national interest, patrimony, and dignity. It reiterated its call to all nations and stakeholders to “reconsider their actions, cooperate and comply with their international obligations.”
“The Philippine Government shall not shirk from its constitutional obligation to preserve and protect our territorial integrity, and the exercise of our sovereign rights,” they added. -jlo
