The Philippine government continues to patrol the West Philippine Sea in the exercise of its sovereignty and sovereign rights under the Philippine Constitution and international law.
The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG), Department of Agriculture – Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) and Philippine National Police – Maritime Group (PNP-MG) are closely coordinating in the continuous regular deployment of vessels in the country’s maritime domain for law enforcement, monitoring, ensuring the safety of the Filipino fishermen, and protecting the environment.
Currently, the BFAR has deployed its Monitoring, Control, and Surveillance (MCS) vessels and Multi-Mission Offshore Vessels (MMOV) to the Municipality of Kalayaan. Strengthening regulations against illegal unreported and unregulated fishing (IUUF), protection of the marine environment and enhancing the well-being of Filipinos dependent on this critical resource remain to be the priority of the Government. These vessels are collaborating with ships and aircraft of the PCG patrolling the area.
The PNP-MG has also dedicated its High-Speed Tactical Watercraft, Police Gun Boats, and Police Fast Boats ready to be deployed in law enforcement patrols. Page 2 of 2
PNP-MG personnel will be posted to the Municipality of Kalayaan and assigned as shipriders aboard PCG, Philippine Navy (PN) and BFAR vessels.
The Area Task Forces (ATF) have likewise dedicated naval vessels and military aircraft to conduct sovereignty patrols on rotational basis over the Municipality of Kalayaan, Bajo de Masinloc (BdM) and the rest of the western seaboard.
For the period 15 to 22 April 2021, the PCG reported that there were no direct incidents between the Chinese Coast Guard (CCG) and Filipino fishermen, in both the Municipality of Kalayaan and BdM, for the third consecutive week. An average of twenty (20) Filipino fishing boats and service boats were monitored fishing within the territorial sea of BdM.
The Area Task Forces, however, reported the continued illegal presence of three (3) Chinese Coast Guard (CCG) vessels in BdM, one (1) CCG vessel in Municipality of Kalayaan, and one (1) CCG vessel in Ayungin Shoal. These incursions are under review for the possible filing of appropriate diplomatic actions.
In response to the continued illegal presence of CCGs, the PCG conducted maritime patrols in the Municipality of Kalayaan and BdM, coinciding with its ongoing maritime capacity building exercises, Task Force Pagsasanay.
Our government shall not waver in pursuing peaceful, rules-based and proactive initiatives on environmental protection, safety of navigation, maritime and food security within our maritime domains.
We remind all stakeholders in the region of their respective commitments made in the 2002 Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea, and underscore the importance of diplomacy and sincere discussion in exploring areas of cooperation especially on marine environmental protection in the area, lest we risk denying present and future generations the right to a healthy and sustainable environment.
