The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) is set to meet with the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) to map out future actions and strategies in response to China’s continued threats in the West Philippine Sea (WPS).
AFP Chief General Romeo Brawner Jr. issued his statement after a China Coast Guard (CCG) vessel chasing a Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) ship collided with a Chinese Navy warship off Scarborough (Panatag) Shoal on Monday morning.
“We will have a conference among our ranks in the AFP together with the Philippine Coast Guard, and of course, we will also ask for guidance from our president because that has already happened,” Brawner said in a mix of English and Filipino during an ambush interview after the Philippine National Police’s (PNP) 124th anniversary celebration at Camp Crame on Tuesday.
“We are letting China be, but now that their Navy is there, that’s a different matter. We will discuss possible steps and future tactics to counter what China is doing that doesn’t want us to get closer to Bajo de Masinloc,” he added.
According to the military chief, the deployment of a warship in the West Philippine Sea and a joint sail with the Philippines’ allied countries are among the AFP’s options in dealing with China’s aggression in the region.
“Let us remember we are not alone in this region, we have other players in the region, we may come together to act against these aggressive actions,” Brawner said.
