Defiant “Kneel” to Hainan China order; Philippines’ Defense to provide armed escorts to Pinoy Fishermen Fishing West Philippine Sea

A view of Pag-asa Island of the Municipality of Kalayaan, Palawan. Photo source

 

Gov't troops ready to escort Pinoy fishermen at sea

 

FORT MAGSAYSAY, Nueva Ecija, Philippines – The government is ready to provide security escorts to Filipino fishermen who will operate in the West Philippine Sea as the government continues to ignore China new fishing policy in the disputed area.

 

Defense Secretary Voltaire Gazmin stressed that the Philippines would not comply with the rules set by China, which has been shoring up its presence in the region.

 

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We have the capability to secure them (fishermen). As said before, we would not follow their rules in our own territory, Gazmin told reporters yesterday on the sidelines of the anniversary of the Special Operations Command.

 

Why do we have to secure permission from other countries when they do not own our fishing grounds? he added.

 

When asked if the government would provide security to fishermen if the need arises, Gazmin said: Kung kinakailangan (If necessary).

 

China is seeking to enforce a new law requiring foreign fishing boats to seek its permission before operating in the West Philippine Sea.

 

The new law issued by the Hainan Provincial People Congress took effect last month and covered two million hectares of the area.

 

Officials said they would disregard the latest effort by China to assert its territorial claim.

 

The Philippines has warned China that the new fishing policy could escalate tensions in the West Philippine Sea.

 

It added that the fishery law, which reinforces China expansive claim under the nine-dash line, is a gross violation of the international law.

 

China nine-dash line covers more than 100 islets, atolls and reefs and overlaps with the claims of the Philippines, Malaysia, Taiwan, Brunei and Vietnam.

 

On Wednesday, Armed Forces chief Gen. Emmanuel Bautista said Filipino fishermen should not give in to China threats or intimidation.

 

He said the fishermen should stand up for their rights and go about their normal lives.

 

Gazmin said a superpower like the United States should stand up against China aggressive acts.

 

Someone has to demonstrate strength because China has been very aggressive lately. It started with the ADIZ (air defense identification zone), and now the fishing laws, the defense chief said.

 

Republican Rep. Steve Chabot said China is dangerously trying to take disputed territories by gradual force with the misguided hope that Japan, Southeast Asian nations and the US will just grudgingly accept it.- philSTAR

 

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Philippines now defiant to bullies; 2 Air force facilities be constructed in Tawi-Tawi and Palawan

Photo: Facebook AFP Forum 

 

Philippines - The Department of National Defense (DND) is building two Air Force facilities to upgrade the military's maritime defense and rescue capabilities over the country's territorial waters in the West Philippine Sea and Sulu Sea.

 

Called the Philippine Air Force (PAF) Search and Rescue Basing and Hangarage Project amounting to about ₱149 million, the facilities will be constructed in Puerto Princesa City, Palawan and in Sanga-Sanga in Tawi-Tawi.

 

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The department also signed a ₱882-million contract with an Israeli firm last week for the acquisition of 28 armored infantry fighting vehicles.

 

The PAF is also expecting deliveries of a squadron of lead-in fighter jets and rotary aircraft under its ongoing capability upgrade projects in line with the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP)'s modernization program.

 

"The plan is to upgrade the capability requirements of the Philippine Air Force and improve the operational effectiveness by constructing hangars and facilities as support systems to sustain the search and rescue operations and support its maritime security and protection of the Malampaya natural gas-to-power project, the Reed Bank and the future Sulu oil rig," said Defense Undersecretary Eduardo Batac, who chairs the DND's Special Bids and Awards Committee-2, in a published bidding invitation for the two projects.

 

Reed Bank, which is also being claimed by China, is believed to be sitting on huge oil and natural gas deposits.

 

Two years ago, two Chinese vessels harassed a civilian survey vessel commissioned by the Department of Energy, prompting then Western Command Cmdr. Lt. Gen. Juancho Sabban to dispatch two OV-10 bombers to ensure the safety of the DOE vessel and its crew.

 

The Malampaya natural gas-to-power project, also in the waters of Palawan, is in full operation. There are also ongoing oil explorations in Sulu Sea, which is believed to contain huge oil and mineral deposits.

 

"The DND and AFP now invite bids for eligible bidders for the construction of two SAR hangarage projects including other requirements," Batac said.

 

Pre-bid conference is scheduled on Jan. 22 at the Philippine Veterans Affairs Office conference room in Camp Aguinaldo in Quezon City. Opening of bids for the project has been scheduled on Feb. 3 at the same venue.

 

"Bidding is restricted to Filipino citizens or organizations with at least 75 percent interest or outstanding capital stock belonging to citizens of the Philippines," Batac said.

 

On the acquisition of 28 armored infantry fighting vehicles from Israeli defense contractor Elbit Systems Land and C4I, Batac said it is aimed at boosting the inventory of light armored units and land fighting capabilities of the 80,000-strong Philippine Army.

 

Four of the 28 armored vehicles are of the recovery type, which can be used to tow damaged units in times of combat.

 

Defense assistant secretary Patrick Velez said delivery is expected within two years. - philSTAR

 

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