January 27, 2023 | 12:00am
MANILA, Philippines — President Marcos reminded the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) to be ready to defend not solely the nation’s coastlines but additionally its residents, noting that its mission has develop into extra “intense” attributable to current incidents that transpired within the West Philippine Sea.
Talking on the oath-taking of promoted PCG officers yesterday, Marcos famous that whereas the PCG’s predominant roles are search and rescue and patrolling maritime boundaries, many duties that after belonged to the Philippine Navy have already been transferred to coast guardsmen.
“The rationale for that is quite simple. We do this, so that we’ll not increase the tensions by placing in items and property of the Philippine army into the world. And since we’re saying that these should not army vessels, they’re Coast Guard,” Marcos stated.
“However as most of the incidents have began to indicate over the previous few years, that mission has develop into extra, shall we embrace, intense. Now you’re anticipated to defend not solely the shoreline, however to defend our nationals,” he added.
There have been quite a few stories of tense incidents within the South China Sea, together with the driving away of a Filipino fishing boat by a Chinese language ship close to Ayungin Shoal this month.
The PCG is investigating the incident, which occurred simply days after Marcos made a state go to to China.
Beijing claims historic rights over nearly the complete South China Sea however that is being disputed by the Philippines, Malaysia, Vietnam, Brunei and Taiwan.
“We should guard ourselves, we should be prepared and conscious and industrious within the work that we do to be sure that we do not need any untoward incidents, that we do not need any errors, we do not need any misunderstandings which may trigger the issue to escalate out of our management,” Marcos stated, including that he’s assured that PCG officers know the right way to fulfill their mission.
Marcos stated his administration has continued to improve the PCG’s capabilities due to its crucial mission.
“That is one thing that’s crucial to the security of the residents of the Philippines. It’s crucial within the protection of the Republic. It’s crucial to the protection of our territory,” the President stated.
Fifteen newly promoted PCG officers took their oath earlier than the President, amongst them Commodores Christopher Meniado, Dominador Senador III, Vincent Bingbong Fiesta, Fideles Sallidao, Romeo Pulido Jr., Rejard Marfe, Geoffrey Espaldon, Prudencio Patricio Jr., Jay Tristan Tarriela, Fedelyn Santos and Alexis Calderon.
AFP motivated
Excessive public satisfaction within the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) is for certain to inspire officers and personnel of the army, Protection Secretary Carlito Galvez Jr. stated yesterday.??
In a press release, Galvez led the Division of Nationwide Protection in welcoming the AFP’s +76 web rating for December 2022 – a rise in its public satisfaction ranking from +67 in December 2021.
“This present of belief and confidence will certainly inspire our women and men within the AFP much more to proceed fulfilling their duties as our nation’s defenders,” Galvez stated.
“Amid the advanced challenges to our nationwide safety, the AFP continues to rise to the event and serve the individuals with integrity, energy, and patriotism,” he added.
The survey additionally confirmed that the AFP is sustaining excessive confidence scores in addressing inner and exterior threats to the nation, he stated.??
Pamalakaya rejects ‘Balikatan’
In a separate improvement, fisherfolk group Pambansang Lakas ng Kilusang Mamamalakaya ng Pilipinas (Pamalakaya) is against the upcoming Balikatan army workout routines between the Philippines and the US, saying it could heighten tensions with China within the West Philippine Sea.
“Our place stays the identical towards the army workout routines between the Philippines and US. The Ph-US battle video games will happen amid China’s aggression in our territorial waters,” Pamalakaya nationwide chairperson Fernando Hicap stated yesterday.
“This Balikatan may solely heighten the strain and consequently set off China to develop into extra aggressive towards Filipino fishers within the West Philippine Sea. Ultimately, the Filipinos and our territory may very well be trapped in the course of these two conflicting superpowers (US and China),” Hicap added.
Troops from the AFP and their US counterparts are set to carry the following Balikatan army workout routines in Ilocos Norte, residence province of President Marcos, on April 24-27.
The battle video games, which might contain no less than 16,000 American and Filipino troops, are the largest Balikatan workout routines to happen because the COVID-19 pandemic broke out in 2020.
“We don’t consider that the army workout routines are for the safety of US allies. We see this as warmongering and part of the US technique to encircle China with army forces in what they name ‘first-island chain,’ which incorporates the Philippines,” Hicap stated.
“Thus, militant fishers gained’t enable the US to benefit from the ocean row simply to accentuate their army intervention within the nation. Just like China, the US can be a risk to our sovereignty,” he added. – Ralph Edwin Villanueva, Elizabeth Marcelo
