Allies’ grants for add’l assets to boost WPS patrols welcome: NMC

By Ruth Abbey Gita-Carlos, Philippine News Agency

FILE: ‘MONSTER’ SHIP. The China Coast Guard 5901 was spotted by personnel of the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) near Lawak Island in the West Philippine Sea (WPS) on Monday (June 24, 2024). (Photo courtesy of PCG via PNA)

MANILA – The Philippines is open to accepting any grants from its foreign allies to acquire additional maritime assets aimed at improving the country’s ability to patrol the West Philippine Sea (WPS), National Maritime Council spokesperson (ret.) Vice Adm. Alexander Lopez said Thursday.

In a Bagong Pilipinas Ngayon briefing, Lopez said assistance from allies is a big help in protecting WPS from foreign intruders like China.

“Actually, nagpapasalamat tayo sa mga tulong or even statements of support [mula] sa ating mga kaalyansa – bagong alyansa at ‘yung mga traditional na alyasa natin (we are grateful for the help or even statements of support [from] our allies – new alliances and our traditional alliances). Meaning, statements of support pa lang, malaking bagay na ‘yun (is already a big thing),” Lopez said.

“Pero kung makakapagbigay sila ng government-to-government agreements like grants… para lang magbigay ng (But if they can give government-to-government agreements like grants so we can have) added assets, especially sa ating (our) Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) and of course, for the Armed Forces of the Philippines, in particular the Philippine Navy, para dumami iyong ating mga barko, para our capability to patrol and cover a bigger area ay magampanan natin (so that we can have additional ships and improve our capability to patrol and cover a larger area),” he added.

Lopez issued the statement, following the pullout of the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) vessel BRP Teresa Magbanua (MRRV-9701) from the Escoda (Sabina) Shoal after months of deployment due to unfavorable weather conditions, depleted supplies of daily necessities, and the health condition of crew members.

BRP Teresa Magbanua also sustained structural damage from the Aug. 31 ramming by the China Coast Guard vessel.

Before the pullout of the Philippine vessel from the Escoda Shoal, around 65 Chinese vessels were spotted swarming the area from Sept. 10 to 16.

Despite the latest developments, Lopez assured the public that the Marcos administration “would not abandon even a square inch of our territory, not even to a superpower.”

Lopez said the country has the technical capabilities to monitor Escoda Shoal.

“Ang Escoda is a vast area na maraming lagusan, maraming papasukan so hindi niya (China) puwedeng sarahan ‘yun (with many passageways, so it cannot block it),” he said. “Makakapasok tayo at makakapasok, makakapagpatrolya tayo at makakapagpatrolya. At puwede tayong lumipad ng eroplano at mayroon din tayong (We can enter and patrol. And we can fly airplanes and we also have) technical capabilities.”

Lopez said the proposal of Senate Majority Leader Francis Tolentino to lease ships from other countries to increase the country’s presence in the WPS is also an “option.”

Quizzed if the government thinks it is time to ask for its allies’ help to protect the WPS, Lopez said the Philippines can still manage the situation.

“Hindi naman porke may problema tayo ay dudulog kaagad tayo kasi (Not because we have a problem, we will ask for their help because) well, we have a dignity as a nation. Kaya pa naman natin (We can still manage),” Lopez said.

“Siguro (Perhaps), when push comes to shove, when worse comes to worst, then, that will now be an executive decision whether we will accede to their request or we will ask for direction. So, it’s an executive decision,” he added.

PH Navy eyes deeper collab with Italy

Meanwhile, the Philippine Navy (PN) seeks to deepen collaboration with the Italian Navy.

This came following the visit of Capt. Giuseppe Lai, commander of the Italian Navy training ship Amerigo Vespucci, to the PN headquarters on Sept. 16.

The visit is part of the Italian Navy’s goodwill visit to the Philippines.

“Captain Lai rendered a courtesy call to Captain Joselito De Guzman, Fleet Inspector General of the Philippine Fleet, and discussed potential collaborations, including educational opportunities at the Italian Naval Academy for PN personnel, with the objective to enhance their skills and professionalism,” PN spokesperson Commander John Percie Alcos said in a statement Thursday.

The two also explored future joint activities, naval exercises, and other cooperative efforts to strengthen ties between the Philippine and Italian Navies.

“The Italian Navy’s goodwill visit underscores the commitment of both nations to building stronger defense relations and exploring new opportunities for mutual growth and cooperation,” Alcos said. (with Priam Nepomuceno/PNA)