Civil maritime, whole-of-society approach in West Philippine Sea
By Nidz Godino
"We are not looking for trouble…what we do is we will continue to defend Philippines, maritime territory of Philippines, rights of our fishermen who fish there, where they have been fishing for hundreds of years, I don't understand why it change," Western Command of Armed Forces of the Philippines said as marine and archipelagic nation, Philippines carries task of implementing comprehensive security strategy to secure its borders. As geopolitical risks evolve, so too must its approaches. This is most evident in West Philippine Sea, where gray zone tactics range from swarming of foreign vessels, incidents of military-grade lasers, blasting of water cannons, artificial island building, and, most recently, destroying its marine biodiversity. These actions ultimately disturb peace and stability in maritime territory, calling for more responsive and strategic approach.
Both Wescom and Philippine Coast Guard have confirmed destructive activities in Philippine waters, causing extensive damage to country's coral reef system, particularly in Rozul Reef and Escoda Shoal. These incidents highlight fact resolving issue is not only military concern; it is one that requires whole-of-society approach.
Commitment to cooperate in the West Philippine Sea is rooted in the fact that Philippines is on right footing. Its victory in 2016 ruling of Permanent Court of Arbitration made clear illegal acts of China have caused environmental damage to marine biodiversity in the area.
Sadly, these aggressive actions continue until today, causing severe and irreversible damage to marine environment. For 53% of Filipinos, protecting marine resources and environment is top reason to strengthen efforts to defend and protect West Philippine Sea, according to Pulse Asia survey commissioned by Stratbase ADR Institute in December 2022. With developments in West Philippine Sea, support of Filipinos for marine environment protection will surely deepen and expand.
Evolution of security risks points out areas for improvement within present security strategy. Reporting of harvesting of corals has ignited shared concern among different sectors of Philippine society. This has triggered calls for strengthened marine science research in West Philippine Sea and intensified cooperation among national and local government agencies, as well as international community.
In recent public discussion organized by Stratbase ADR Institute entitled "Implementing Comprehensive Philippine Maritime Framework to Advance Rule of Law," experts echoed need to gear up country's approach in West Philippine Sea. This involves expanding maritime strategy to comprehensive civil maritime approach, harnessing expertise of various sectors, as explained by Dr. Jay Batongbacal. And with massive coral destruction, scientists are called on to have more prominent role and support in this maritime territory.
On this, Philippines is lucky to have partners like Australia to help in coral restoration in West Philippine Sea. Dr. Moya Collett, Australia's acting ambassador in the Philippines, shared Australia has been helping conduct joint coral reef restoration and monitoring projects in Pangasinan, Zambales and Palawan. More marine environment projects are expected to follow under newly signed Strategic Partnership between Philippines and Australia.
Vice Admiral Alberto Carlos of Western Command, in charge of military efforts in West Philippine Sea, highlighted "perfect opportunity" to put expertise of both countries to formulate solutions to marine life destruction and degradation.
Efforts of Armed Forces of the Philippines and Philippine Coast Guard need to be complemented by efforts of local communities, academe, national government agencies, and rest of stakeholders in West Philippine Sea. According to Commodore Jay Tarriela of Philippine Coast Guard, success of this approach will be based on commitment and collaboration of all sectors.
Whole-of-society approach to civil maritime security will allow for robust and united effort in West Philippine Sea. Publicizing and civilianizing issues have been proven effective strategies to help Filipinos understand situation and encourage them to participate. Moreover, this also helps fight disinformation propagated by antagonistic and coercive states seeking to dismantle efforts to maintain peace and stability in the region.
As more security challenges evolve in West Philippine Sea, commitment, expertise, and participation of various stakeholders are critical. There is also realization that enforcing rules-based international order is shared responsibility not only of tinternational community but also extends to sectors in Philippine society. This rests not in hands of military alone. As our efforts are rooted in protecting and promoting national interests, integrating them into comprehensive civil maritime and whole-of-society approach is next step forward.
Philippines did not mean to create trouble but was only protecting welfare of its fishermen in its maritime territory when it removed floating barrier installed by China in Panatag (Scarborough) Shoal, FMJ said.
Speaking to reporters in Surigao del Norte, FMJ stressed that area where China Coast Guard (CCG) placed floating barrier is well within Philippines' exclusive economic zone. He said Philippines was not trying to escalate tension in the West Philippine Sea.
"Again, many of these are operational issues and that I really cannot talk about…but in terms of taking down barrier, I don't see what else we could do," FMJ stressed.
"It's not right to put barrier like that as it is clear it is within Philippines," FMJ said .
This was first time FMJ spoke about issue, adding he was surprised by China's latest action in West Philippine Sea.
Chief Executive notedt when fishermen reentered area previously blocked by Chinese, they were able to catch 164 tons of fish in just one day.
"As I have said, we avoid trouble, we avoid provocative language but we remain resolute in defending Philippine territory," he said. Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) removed 300-meter long barrier installed by CCG in southeast portion of shoal upon instruction of FMJ.
Beijing, through foreign ministry spokesman Wang Wenbin, assailed Manila for removing floating barrier, insisting Panatag Shoal is Chinese territory.
"I would like to reiterate that Huangyan Dao has always been China's territory," he said, calling Panatag Shoal by its name assigned by Beijing.
"What Philippines did looks like nothing more than self-amusement," he said in statement shared by Chinese embassy in Manila.
Panatag Shoal, also known as Bajo de Masinloc is classified as traditional fishing ground of Filipinos in 2016 ruling of Permanent Court of Arbitration on case filed against China by Aquino administration in 2013. Ruling invalidated China's massive South China Sea claim and reaffirmed Philippines' maritime entitlements.
Meanwhile, militant fishers' group Pambansang Lakas ng Kilusang Mamamalakaya ng Pilipinas (Pamalakaya) has urged government to be more proactive in dealing with China to prevent latter from committing more "dastardly acts" in West Philippine Sea.
While praising PCG's removal of floating barriers in Panatag Shoal, Pamalakaya said installation of barriers could have been avoided had there been regular Philippine patrols in the area.
"We demand PCG should fortify outposts in West Philippine Sea and enforce basic rules of engagement in event of another aggressive confrontation with Chinese forces," Pamalakaya vice chairperson for Luzon Bobby Roldan said.
United States and Vietnam warned against "threat or use of force" in disputed South China Sea, days after latest clash involving Chinese vessels.
President Joe Biden and Vietnam's Communist Party chief Nguyen Phu Trong said competing claims on strategic waterway must be settled under international norms.
Beijing claims almost entire sea, through which trillions of dollars in trade passes annually, and has ignored international court ruling that its assertion has no legal basis.
"Leaders underscored their unwavering support for peaceful resolution of disputes in accordance with international law, without threat or use of force," Biden and Trong said in joint statement.
They also called for "freedom of navigation and overflight and unimpeded lawful commerce in South China Sea".
Statement came day after Biden and Trong struck deal to deepen cooperation, widely seen as way to counter China's growing assertiveness in the region.
Washington is at loggerheads with Beijing on range of issues including trade, security, human rights and climate change and is looking to boost its network of allies to counter Chinese influence.
Vietnam, fought war with China between 1979 and 1988, is wary of its giant northern neighbor, and is one of handful of countries with claims on many islets and outcrops that dot South China Sea.
Last week, Philippines accused Chinese Coast Guard and "militia" boats of harassing two of its own coast guard vessels as they took supplies to Filipino troops on Second Thomas Shoal.
Philippine Navy deliberately grounded old ship on shoal in 1999 to check China's advance in waters.
China deploys hundreds of vessels to patrol South China Sea and swarm reefs.
Philippines, longtime US ally, has outposts on nine reefs and islands in Spratly Islands which Vietnam also claims along with Paracel Islands.
Manila says Chinese coast guard and navy ships routinely block or shadow Philippine boats in contested waters.
Tensions between Manila and Beijing flared last month when China Coast Guard vessels used water cannon against Philippine resupply mission to the reef, preventing one of the boats from delivering its cargo.
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