The government is looking into practicable courses of action in dealing with the persistence of Chinese vessels in West Philippine Sea (WPS) features, following a report revealing the numbers of these vessels have reached an all-time high on Tuesday.
“There are many approaches that could be taken. We haven't exhausted all approaches,” said Philippine Navy Spokesperson for the WPS Rear Admiral Roy Vincent Trinidad.
He stressed these Chinese ships were an “illegal presence” who commit “coercive and aggressive actions,” and send “deceptive messaging.” The spokesperson rejected the notion they were a “blockade” and “limited sea control.”
From September 17 to September 23, 251 Chinese vessels were sighted in the WPS, many of them in the Ayungin and Escoda or Sabina Shoals.
“At the highest level of government, there are a range of different options available. These options have not been exhausted yet. The AFP (Armed Forces of the Philippines) has a particular role to play under the whole-of-government effort. Whatever is decided upon, the AFP will implement,” Trinidad assured.
He also made it clear that regardless of the Philippine Coast Guard’s (PCG) BRP Teresa Magbanua leaving the Escoda Shoal, the Philippines has not lost its hold on the area.
“We have always been there. The objective is monitoring. Again, (as) I mentioned, this is not just physical. There are different capabilities that we have right now to be able to monitor not only Escoda, but the entire WPS,” the spokesperson stated.
These capabilities allow for monitoring on sea, land, and even through space-based systems; the Navy is committed to go about its routinary operations in the area.
