Coast Guard shoots ‘intruding’ Taiwanese off Batanes

The Philippine Coast Guard on Friday said it fired upon one of four Taiwanese fishing vessels that entered the country’s territorial waters, leaving one fisherman dead.

Coast Guard commandant Rear Adm. Rodolfo Isorena said the shooting occurred around 10:30 a.m. Thursday, while a Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources vessel (MCS 3001) operated by PCG personnel was patrolling the Balintang Channel off Batanes.

The PCG personnel encountered four foreign fishing vessels within the Philippines’ exclusive economic zone (EEZ) and tried to board one of them, but another “repeatedly tried to ram our MCS,” Isorena said in a statement.

He said this prompted the Coast Guard personnel on board the MCS to fire “warning shots” and later on, shoot the vessel’s machinery portion “to disable” it.

“While the maneuver is happening, our MCS detected the presence of unidentified grey and white ships, forcing them to withdraw and return back to port,” Isorena said.

He said the personnel on board the MCS were not able to immediately verify what happened to the fishing vessel, and the PCG only learned Friday that one of the Taiwanese fishermen died.

Isorena said that while the PCG considers the incident as “very unfortunate,” more effort will be done to secure the country’s waters.

“Efforts will be instituted to prevent similar occurrences. The government will increase our visibility in the area to prevent future incursion of our waters,” the PCG chief said.

“We sympathize with the family of the fisherman who died and we assure them of a transparent and impartial investigation. The PCG will relieve all personnel on board MCS 3001 of their duties while the investigation is ongoing,” he added.

Earlier, China’s state-owned Xinhua News Agency earlier reported that a Filipino “military ship” opened fire on a Taiwanese fishing boat on Thursday, about 180 nautical miles southeast of Erluanbi, the southernmost tip of Taiwan.

“After killing the fisherman, the Filipino military ship continued to chase and fire in bursts at the Taiwanese vessel,” Xinhua said, citing information from Taiwan’s fishing authority and media.

Maj. Ramon Zagala, chief of the Armed Forces’ public affairs office, said that contrary to the report, the incident involved a “Coast Guard-controlled” BFAR vessel.

Zagala, however, said the incident occurred within the Philippines’ “territorial waters.”

“Since the incident occurred within our territorial waters, it is therefore within the jurisdiction of our coast guard,” Zagala said in a statement.

Col. Edgard Arevalo, the Navy’s spokesman for issues in the West Philippine Sea, also denied Xinhua’s report.

Commodore Nodolfo Tejada, commander of the Naval Forces Northern Luzon, reported Thursday night that all Navy vessels under his command were in ports in Subic or Sual, Pangasinan, Arevalo said. (John Roson)

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US will ensure freedom of navigation – Navy admiral

The United States will ensure freedom of navigation in the seas and will stand by its defense treaty with the Philippines, US Navy Adm. Samuel Locklear said Thursday.

“We will ensure that there is freedom of navigation,” Locklear, chief of the US Pacific Command, said in a press briefing with Armed Forces of the Philippines chief Gen. Jessie Dellosa at the military headquarters in Manila.

“We stand by the defense treaty as it is,” Locklear said, referring to the 61-year-old mutual defense treaty between the US and the Philippines.

Before the briefing, Locklear and Dellosa attended a meeting of the two countries’ mutual defense board.

Issues in the South China Sea were discussed in the meeting, Locklear said, without specifying what topics were tackled.

The meeting “focused more” on preparations for next year’s bilateral military exercises, Dellosa said.

Next year’s exercises will have a “minor change” in activities, focusing on humanitarian disaster response operations and inter-operability of the two countries’ militaries, he said.

There will be no increase in the number of US forces participating for next year’s exercises compared to last year, Dellosa added. (John Roson)

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Marines celebrate ‘birthday’ in face of territorial issues

Marines in Palawan celebrated the force’s “birthday” this year in a different light, taking to heart emerging challenges in defending territories in the contested Spratly Islands.

Troops volunteered for “Spratly assignments,” Lt. Col. Neil Estrella, spokesman of the Western Command, said in a phone interview.

“Ngayon mas high morale ang tropa dahil we know we are defending our territory kahit mahirap ang assignment sa Spratlys,” Estrella, himself a member of the Marines, said.

The Marines’ 62nd birthday – founding anniversary to those not in the know – was held on Wednesday.

It came just a little over a month after the 3rd Marine Brigade returned to Palawan on Sept. 28 following a long stint of “internal security” operations in Sulu.

The brigade, an administrative unit comprising about 200 personnel, had supervised troops in battles against Abu Sayyaf members and other bandits in the southern province.

Its return to the west will see the brigade address needs of the two battalions already in Palawan for territorial defense, Estrella said in a previous interview.

The Department of National Defense has been vocal about beefing up defense for the Spratly Islands and the West Philippine Sea following Chinese military “incursions” last year.

The island group, said to be lying on top of huge oil and gas deposits, is being claimed in whole or in part by the Philippines, China, Vietnam, Malaysia, Brunei, and Taiwan.

On Wednesday, Marines in Palawan, which lies more than 100 nautical miles from Spratlys, renewed their oath and again sang their hymn of fighting – whoever the foe may be.

Western Command chief Lt. Gen. Juancho Sabban, once assigned to the island chain in his early days as a Marine officer, was among those who renewed their vow.

“They pronounced to carry that same legacy as they recommitted themselves to the tasks at hand – to ensure the protection and defense of our nation’s peace, democracy, and territorial integrity against all enemies – foreign and domestic,” Estrella said. (John Roson)

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Marines to boost presence in Palawan amid China’s Spratlys buildup

The Armed Forces plans to deploy additional Marine troops and equipment to Palawan amid Chinese military buildup in the disputed Spratly Islands.

Lt.Col. Neil Estrella, spokesman of the Armed Forces Western Command, said plans are afoot to set up a Marine brigade headquarters that will support the two battalions already in the province.

“The Marines now is realigning its troops, particularly sa requirement natin doon sa territorial defense,” he said.

The brigade headquarters, which will be set up at a still undiclosed place, is expected to enhance the two battalions’ capability in drawing out more troops from other areas, artillery, air support, tanks, and other assets.

“‘Yung dalawang Marine battalion natin kasi kinakailangan may suporta, ang suporta niya kailangan manggaling sa isang brigade. Ang isang brigade mayroong armor, mayroong artillery, may mga support unit,” Estrella said.

The plan comes amid China’s building up of military installations and deployment of maritime surveillance vessels to the disputed Spratly Islands.

The island group, located about 200 nautical miles west of Palawan and said to be rich in mineral and oil, is being claimed in whole or in part by China, the Philippines, Vietnam, Malaysia, Taiwan, and Brunei.

US troops to come in too?

Earlier, a foreign news wire agency quoted a senior Philippine Marine official as saying that there are also plans to expand an airstrip in Palawan to accommodate big US military planes, and set up an “advance command post” manned by both Philippine and US Marine troops.

Estrella denied hearing anything on the supposed plan, saying what was clear was it was the local Marines who will be beefing up forces.

The regional military spokesperson said he also learned of a plan to develop the airport in Puerto Princesa City, for “civilian use.”

“Talaga namang ide-develop ‘yung airport natin doon. Ikaw ba naman, ‘yung airport 20 to 22 flights a day lang eh ang sikip na. Pagagandahin talaga ‘yung airport pero hindi para sa military,” he said. (John Roson)

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6 Chinese ships spotted near grounded PLA warship at Half Moon Shoal

see update here

Six Chinese ships have been spotted near the grounded warship at Hasa-Hasa Shoal (international name: Half Moon Shoal) off Palawan Saturday, prompting Philippine authorities to ask China to explain the vessels’ presence.

A military aircraft spotted the six ships near the grounded People’s Liberation Army (PLA) Navy frigate No. 560 when it conducted a reconnaissance flight over Hasa-Hasa before noon, Peter Paul Galvez, defense department spokesman, said.

Galvez declined to say what color the ships have, saying it was up to the Chinese to explain. Militaries usually color their ships gray while civilian law enforcement ships are colored white.

The six, whose sizes were not confirmed by the reconnaissance plane, are “definitely” Chinese, Galvez said.

“We are seeking clarification from the Chinese side [what is] the purpose of those ships. Hindi tayo ang magsasabi na nagre-rescue sila… hayaan natin na manggaling sa kanila ‘yung salitang ‘yun,” he said.

Frigate still stuck

In an earlier phone interview, Galvez said the PLA Navy ship No. 560 remained stuck at Hasa-Hasa after reportedly running aground Thursday night.

“(The ship ran) aground, it’s stuck,,” he said, adding the military vessel was the same ship that the Chinese Embassy in Manila had earlier told the government of.

Galvez, however, said the DND has yet to receive reports on how the ship happened to be in Hasa-Hasa, which lies just 65 nautical miles west of the island-municipality of Balabac, on the southwestern tip of Palawan.

Earlier, Defense Secretary Voltaire Gazmin ordered the Armed Forces’ Western Command to send ships to Hasa-Hasa and conduct an investigation to determine why the Chinese vessel was there.

Commodore Rustom Pena, commander of the Naval Forces West, said their naval assets will provide the marooned Chinese assistance, if needed. (John Roson)

see update here

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Philippines sends ships to Half Moon Shoal

see update

The Philippines has sent ships to Half Moon Shoal in the disputed Spratly Island Group after receiving reports that a Chinese military frigate ran aground there, a navy official said.

“Our naval assets are now on the way there, we will provide assistance if needed,” Commodore Rustom Pena, Naval Forces West commander, said in a phone interview.

Pena said he was informed of the Chinese ship’s presence Friday morning. “We still don’t know how long it has been there, we can only suppose that it ran aground last night.”

Half Moon Shoal, called by the Philippines as Hasa-Hasa Shoal, is 65 nautical miles west from the island-municipality of Balabac town on Palawan province, Pena said. (John Roson)

see update

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Chinese vessels did not leave Scarborough – Navy

Chinese vessels stayed in Panatag Shoal (international name: Scarborough Shoal), Navy chief Alexander Pama said today.

A Navy Islander plane saw the ships as it conducted an aerial surveillance over the shoal on Monday afternoon, Pama said in a press briefing.

Three Chinese Maritime Surveillance ships and two Fisheries Law Enforcement Command vessels were seen outside the shoal. Six fishing vessels and 17 dinghies were seen inside, he said.

Some of the vessels stayed and some are new, Pama told reporters. (John Roson)

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Chinese to occupy Scarborough if left unguarded, defense chief warns

Defense Secretary Voltaire Gazmin warned that China may occupy Panatag Shoal (international name: Scarborough Shoal) if the Philippines leaves it unguarded.

“Pagka hindi mo tinauhan ‘yung lugar na ‘yun, ang [gagawin] nila occupancy, nandudun sila, so ‘yun ang gagawin nilang basis nung kanilang claim,” Gazmin told defense reporters in a phone conference Thursday.

The defense chief said it was necessary for the country to send the Coast Guard and Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources’ vessels back to Panatag.

“Bakit nga hindi at hindi naman umaalis ‘yung mga Intsik dun, kailangang balikan natin,” he said.

On Wednesday, President Benigno Aquino III said the country should send ships back to Panatag should Chinese law enforcement vessels remain in the area.

The President ordered the Coast Guard and BFAR ships to return to port last Friday because of bad weather brought by typhoon “Butchoy.” (John Roson)

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Coast Guard, BFAR ships ordered out of Scarborough

President Benigno Aquino III has ordered the country’s two ships near Panatag Shoal (international name: Scarborough Shoal) to return home because of bad weather.

Aquino ordered the Coast Guard and Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources vessels to “return to port” Friday night due to “increasing bad weather,” Foreign Affairs Secretary Albert del Rosario said in a statement.

The President’s order came as typhoon “Butchoy” (international name: Guchol) came closer to the country via the Pacific Ocean.

The storm was seen continuously moving towards the country’s northwest Saturday, packing maximum 120 kph winds near the center and a gustiness of up to 150 kph.

“When weather improves, a reevaluation will be made,” Del Rosario said.

Sought for comment on the ships’ pullout, the Department of National Defense said it sees the move as only “normal.”

“It’s a common practice for ships to seek safer areas during inclement weather. Siyempre ang iniisip ni Presidente diyan ay ‘yung safety ng ating mga personnel,” DND spokesman Peter Paul Galvez said.

The military, on the other hand, said it will just continue to monitor developments in Panatag through the Coast Guard.

“That’s the mandate, order ng President ‘yan eh, the Armed Forces of the Philippines is just following,” AFP spokesman Col. Arnulfo Marcelo Burgos said.

“We will be closely in touch with the Philippine Coast Guard… we will maintain coordination with the Coast Guard and other agencies as far as the security of the area is concerned,” he said.

The Coast Guard and BFAR ships had been in a “standoff” with several Chinese law enforcement vessels in Panatag since April, after the Navy tried to arrest Chinese fishermen who were seen carrying live sharks, corals, and giant clams poached from Philippine waters on their boats.

The Navy warship BRP Gregorio del Pilar was the first to engage the Chinese in the standoff, but was eventually pulled out in what government officials said was a move to let civilian agencies deal with Chinese civilian agencies. (John Roson)

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Foreign poachers going as far as Romblon – AFP

Camp Guillermo Nakar, Lucena City – Foreign poachers sometimes go deep inside Philippine territory to catch fish and other wildlife in an area known for marine biodiversity, a military official revealed.

Lieutenant Gen. Roland Detabali, head of the Armed Forces’ Southern Luzon Command (Solcom), said there have been instances when poachers were monitored going as far as Romblon.

“Minsan may poachers, naka-base sa Palawan ang mother boat then papasok gamit ang maliliit na boat sa Romblon,” Detabali told reporters in a briefing at the Solcom headquarters here.

Authorities in the area, however, cannot catch the poachers because of “limited naval assets,” he said.

“Tatakbo na lang sila (poachers), di na mahahabol, sayang ang natural resources,” Detabali said.

It was the first time for the military to reveal that foreign poachers venture deep inside the Philippines’ territorial waters.

Previously, foreign poachers were sighted and sometimes, captured, only in waters off Palawan and Mindanao where there are disputed territories and international boundaries.

The Philippines is presently battling – diplomatically – with China over ownership of Scarborough Shoal near Zambales after a Navy ship tried to arrest Chinese poachers there last April.

Romblon, along with Cavite, Batangas, Marinduque, and Oriental Mindoro, form the boundaries of the Verde Island Passage, which scientists regard as the “center of the center” of marine biodiversity in the world.

The title was given after a 2005 study showed that Verde Island Passage is home to more than 300 species of corals, hundreds of species of fish, and several species of turtles, dolphins, giant clams, and whale sharks.

Detabali said the military is now coordinating with local government units and non-government organizations to protect the area. (John Roson)

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