‘More tense’ situation in West Philippine Sea due to ‘quad’ countries
Published on: Tuesday, October 20, 2020
By: GMA News
MANILA: Philippine Navy chief Vice Admiral Giovanni Carlo Bacordo (pic) on Monday said the increased tension in the West Philippine Sea is due to the stronger assertiveness of “quad countries” in the resource-rich region.At a virtual press briefing, Bacordo was asked for his comment on the recent statement of Armed Forces chief General Gilbert Gapay that the situation in the area is “volatile and uncertain,” attributing it to China’s continuous aggressive actions and the United States’ move to protect its interest in the area.
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“When the chief of staff AFP said that the situation in the West Philippine Sea has become more tense, it is because of the increased assertiveness of the quad countries,” Bacordo said.
“I’m referring to the US, Australia, Japan and India wherein they’re conducting their increased presence in the conduct of freedom of navigation operations and also the conduct of exercises in the contested areas,” he added.
For Defence Secretary Delfin Lorenzana, the situation in the West Philippine Sea is “stable and manageable,” adding that the Philippine military could focus more on internal threats such as communist insurgency and terrorism.
Bacordo, meanwhile, explained the protocols that the Philippine Navy is observing whenever a foreign vessel “challenges” a Filipino ship at sea.
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He said the Philippine Navy also “challenges” foreign vessels, both military and commercial, by asking them their origin and the purpose of their voyage. Bacordo said this practice is part of the Code for Unplanned Encounters at Sea.
“Ngayong panahon, what we do is we communicate... while they challenge us, we also challenge them, whenever foreign vessels pass through within the area of our littoral monitoring stations, we challenge these vessels,” Bacordo said.
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“We challenge like where are you going, where did you come from, what is your intention... likewise it is not only challenge to, you mention specifically about Chinese vessels, we challenge all vessels, commercial or military... likewise in the West Philippine Sea, whenever our grey ships encounter Chinese vessels or other navy vessels, we also challenge them...” he added.
Early this year, a People’s Liberation Army Navy Corvette warship was reported to have challenged BRP Conrado Yap (PS39) by pointing a radar gun.Stay up-to-date by following Daily Express’s Telegram channel.
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