The Philippine government on Wednesday (April 21) announced the deployment of additional maritime and air vessels to conduct intensified patrols in the country’s exclusive economic zone (EEZ).
This move of the National Task Force for the West Philippine Sea (NTF-WPS) followed President Rodrigo Duterte’s directive to “sustain our sovereignty patrols in the WPS, increase safety of life at sea operations, and intensify operations against illegal, unreported, [and] unregulated fishing (IUUF).”
Four Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) vessels, one PCG aircraft, five Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) vessels for WPS maritime patrols, and Philippine National Police – Maritime Group (PNP-MG) high speed tactical watercraft and rubber boats for maritime law enforcement in the coastal areas were deployed.
“The NTF-WPS is resolute in upholding Philippine sovereignty over our territory as mandated by the Constitution, and protecting our sovereign rights over our EEZ in accordance with international law,” NTF-WPS Spokesperson Omar Romero said.
The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) has been coordinating with other government agencies, law enforcement, and sovereignty patrols in the area.
The NTF-WPS gave assurance of the continued development of detachments in the WPS. Its Area Task Forces-West (ATF-West) is currently maintaining nine island detachments in the Municipality of Kalayaan, while ATF North has Bajo de Masinloc, the islands north of Cagayan, Batanes Province, and the Philippine Rise and its extended continental shelf (ECS).
More infrastructure built
An P8.869 billion development program is underway in line with the Palawan Council for Sustainable Development’s (PCSD) plan for sustainable development and environment protection, safety, and security in the Kalayaan area.
A beaching ramp and sheltered port worth P1.1-billion was constructed on Pag-asa Island and opened in June 2020 to improve the mobility of people and basic goods. A free WiFi service for the entire island is also underway.
Five lighthouses were established in Pag-asa, Patag Island, Panata Island, Parola Island, and Likas Island.
“The foregoing whole-of-nation approach to protect our national interest in the WPS manifests the firm rejection of the Philippine Government of any attempt to undermine the 2016 Arbitral Award. We are exhausting all means possible to protect our territory and EEZ,” Romero said. NTF-WPS/AG-jlo
