The Philippine Navy said on Wednesday that deploying roughly 1,000 civilian vessels in the West Philippine Sea (WPS) is necessary to match the presence of Chinese maritime militia ships in the area.
Philippine Navy spokesperson for the WPS Commodore Roy Vincent Trinidad also told a media forum that the military supports the 100-boat civilian mission to Scarborough Shoal on May 15.
The official was apparently referring to Atin Ito Coalition, the mission’s organizer, which earlier said that in the second iteration of the activity, it aims to conduct a “peace and solidarity regatta” and install buoys in Scarborough Shoal or Bajo de Masinloc.
“We support all activities of the Filipino people of civic society that would show our resolve for the West Philippine Sea,” Trinidad said. “Actually it should not be 100 boats only. If China could amass 300 to 400 maritime militia and they are far from their coastline, we should have 1,000,” he added in Filipino.
As long as the civilian mission to WPS follows the guidance of the government, Trinidad said the Philippine Navy will support them.
Meanwhile, nations allied to the Philippines were united in condemning China over its latest water cannon attack against a Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) vessel that conducted a routine resupply mission off the waters of Panatag Shoal this week.
Several diplomats voiced their backing for Manila while renewing their criticism of Beijing’s actions. They also condemned the latest dangerous maritime incident that endangered Filipino personnel aboard BRP Bankaw and BRP Bagacay on Tuesday, April 30
United States Ambassador to the Philippines MaryKay Carlson said China’s water cannons intentionally disrupted a lawful Philippine mission to provide food and fuel to fisherfolk within its exclusive economic zone (EEZ).
“The Philippines can count on U.S. support as #FriendsPartnersAllies to uphold freedom of navigation and international law,” Carlson added.
Ambassador Luc Vernon of the European Union (EU) also called out China for violating international law with its continuing aggression in the West Philippine Sea.
“Dangerous maneuvers, water cannoning, floating barrier, or any aggressive behaviors, is a threat to safety of life at sea, the freedom of navigation, and the prohibition of the use of force or coercion. In short, this is against international law,” he said.
The Embassy of Japan in Manila expressed its concern over the recent incident in Scarborough Shoal. It said the latest actions of China, including the use of water cannons, against Philippine vessels undermined the safety of the ship and the crew.
France and the United Kingdom echoed similar views as they reiterated their call for respect of the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) and freedom of navigation in light of the incident.
“We oppose any threat or use of force contrary to international law and recall the importance of resolving disputes through dialogue. We also recall the decision rendered by the Arbitral Court on July 12, 2016,” France said.
UK Ambassador to the Philippines Laure Beaufils said the UK condemns the dangerous actions of China. “We reiterate our call for respect for UNCLOS and adherence to the 2016 Arbitral Award, which is legally binding on the parties,” she added.
For Commodore Trinidad, the efforts of civic groups to hold a mission to the WPS is an indicator that Filipinos now understand “the issue.”
The Philippine Navy will help the civilian mission through monitoring its safety, according to Trinidad.
Atin Ito Coalition, the mission’s organizer, said that in the second iteration of the activity, it aims to conduct a “peace and solidarity regatta” and install markers or buoys in Scarborough Shoal or Bajo de Masinloc. The shoal is also referred to as Panatag Shoal.
Participating in the mission are two main civilian boats escorted by 100 small fishing vessels that will set sail from Zambales.
International observers are invited to join the mission to document the situation in the WPS and witness the challenges faced by Filipino fishers and frontliners.
Atin Ito also plans to deliver essential supplies like fuel to Filipino fishermen in the area.
Bajo de Masinloc is a place of tension between the Philippines and China, as Filipino frontliners were harassed and fishers were shooed away by China in the area.
On Tuesday, the Philippine Coast Guard said Chinese Coast vessels fired water cannons at Philippine civilian vessels en route to Bajo de Masinloc.
The PCG vessel BRP Bagacay sustained damage on a part of its superstructure.
Meanwhile, the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) vessel BRP Bankaw — which was also rammed by Chinese vessels three times — sustained damage on its heating, ventilation, and air conditioning, electrical, navigation, and radio systems.