DND Secretary Gilberto C. Teodoro Jr. (PNA file photo)
MANILA – All operations being carried out by the country in its maritime territories, including those of the West Philippine Sea, are rules-based, Department of National Defense (DND) Secretary Gilberto C. Teodoro Jr. said Monday.
"We are merely asserting our rights which the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) and relevant Philippine laws secure to us and these operations are done within areas where the Philippine government has every right to operate," Teodoro said on the sidelines of the dedication ceremony of Basa Air Base's newly-rehabilitated runway in Floridablanca, Pampanga.
The DND chief said Manila is not looking for conflict by asserting these rights.
Teodoro was referring to ongoing efforts to resupply its detachments and sovereignty patrols in the West Philippine Sea.
"And that is simply what we are doing and in such a case not only the United States but other governments have chimed in the chorus in support of the Philippine government, the reason is simple that the Philippine government's operations are based on rules-based international order, international law and the UNCLOS so I think that we are asserting the same thing and that is the predicate on which not only the United States but several other countries operate with us in this area," he added.
Teodoro earlier said the Philippines would continue with its operations to uphold sovereignty in the WPS in a "balanced" manner in anticipation of increasing harassment from China.
He said any activity in the WPS, including the next resupply missions, would be crafted carefully to avoid increasing tensions or conflict and stressed that these would be done to uphold the best interest of the country.
Faster mission vessels
House Deputy Majority Leader Erwin T. Tulfo urged the government to invest in faster vessels for resupply missions to the BRP Sierra Madre in Ayungin Shoal to enhance the security and competitiveness of the nation in the WPS.
During Tuesday’s hearing conducted by the House Special Committee on the West Philippine Sea, Tulfo told the National Task Force for the WPS that swift and capable maritime assets are essential for safeguarding the country’s territorial interests and maintaining a strong presence in this strategically important region.
“Gaano po kabilis ang sasakyan natin (How fast is our vessel)? How fast is it? Talagang aabutan kayo kung ang takbo nyo lang ay 5 knots tapos sila ay nasa 20 knots. Talagang maabutan kayo (How fast is our vessel? How fast is it? They can really overtake you if your speed is only 5 knots and then they run at about 20 knots),” he said.
“The Chinese Coast Guard is toying with you. In short, pinaglalaruan po tayo, pino-propvoke po tayo (we were being provoked). And we have been very patient in the past months or a year or two.”
Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) Commodore Jay Tristan Tarriela informed the panel that the PCG’s 44-meter vessels can run as fast as 22 knots to 25 knots.
“However, since our primary mission is to provide escort to the chartered boat, we have to adjust our slow speed so that we could be able to phase our chartered boat,” Tarriela said. (With a report from Zaldy de Layola/PNA)
