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'Many nations' ask USCG rescue
By Nidz Godino
"Many nations have reached out to United States Coast Guard, and we look forward to working with each and every one of them…we have shifted some resources to Pacific, specifically to be able to meet those commitments," USCG Pacific Area deputy commander Rear Admiral Andrew Sugimoto said at virtual press briefing several countries have been reaching out to United States Coast Guard for support, including training, as China pursues its sweeping South China Sea claims more aggressively.
Sugimoto said USCG is deploying Indo-Pacific support cutter, going around Pacific island nations providing training and assistance.
US ships have been conducting exercises with Philippines, Japan and South Korea.
USCG Cutter Waesche recently returned from patrol in Western Pacific. It recently hosted observers from Coast Guards of Philippines, Japan and Vietnam for 13 days on board, according to Sugimoto.
"We were able to highlight how we do operations, show how we want to reinforce rules-based order out there, safely conduct certain operations, help and show them what and how we do maintenance on our ships, always very important, right?" he said.
"It was very nice having them on board to be able to show and do that," Sugimoto stressed.
Sugimoto said USCG looks forward to doing future shiprider events or having observers on board in future deployments.
"And we very much look forward to working with Japan, Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) and others that ask to do so," he added.
China Coast Guard (CCG) vessels rammed and fired water cannons at Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) ship near Escoda (Sabina) Shoal in the West Philippine Sea on Sunday afternoon.
Sugimoto emphasized deliberate ramming of and firing of water cannons at Philippine vessels by China ships are "clear act of bullying by one individual that wants to exert its influences over another nation with complete disregard for rules and international law that exists."
He noted that interoperability and ability to have effective communications to have effective maritime domain awareness could be as effective as possible and continue to push back against nations that want to exert their influences solely for their purposes at expense of other law-abiding nations.
Defense Secretary Gilbert Teodoro Jr. is asking international community for more support as Philippines continues to promote rules-based international order in West Philippine Sea.
Speaking before representatives of 29 nations at ongoing 35th Military Law Operations (MILOPS) annual conference hosted by United States Indo-Pacific Command in Manila, Teodoro asserted that country needs backing to stop China's acts of violating and ignoring international law.
"Please help Philippines be, as US Ambassador MaryKay Carlson said, ' global leader in enforcing and upholding rules-based international order, norms of international law' and do not let Philippines be victim for standing up to international law," he said.
He emphasized Philippines is not merely upholding its own sovereignty and sovereign rights, but is a test case for agreed-upon interpretations of civilized world of what international law is, particularly law of the sea.
"I'd like to carry on from statement of Ambassador Carlson, that venue of this conference was both deliberate and significant…indeed, Philippines is at forefront of upholding international law in this side of the world," the defense chief stressed, reiterating US envoy's statement Philippines plays central role in Indo-Pacific region.
Teodoro noted nations should adhere to tenets of international law, especially United Nations Charter, amid regional security challenges.
"Let's go back to foundation that is Article 4 of UN Charter, does not allow any state to use force or threaten, even word 'threaten to use force,' in asserting its territorial claims… foundational in charter made post World War II, repeated transgressions and I'm not afraid to name them by China to test how body of law freely agreed upon, signed by even them, can be shaped or remolded into what they think is their version of international law…and surely, nexus is shaping version for their own insular interests, means it's zero-sum game…their game, world's loss" he stressed.
Attended by representatives from about 29 countries, 35th MILOPS is four-day conference provides opportunity for participants to discuss important aspects of international law, military cooperation and importance of rules-based international order to free and open Indo-Pacific.
Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) said event, held at Rigodon Hall of Manila Hotel, brings together senior military leaders, government officials, legal advisors and leading academics from various nations across Indo-Pacific region.
Conference serves as vital platform for discussing key aspects of international law, military cooperation and significance of rules-based international order.
AFP said conference is part of Mutual Defense Board-Security Engagement Board meeting activities, underscoring ongoing commitment of Philippines and US to strengthen defense ties and uphold principles of international law in Indo-Pacific region.
"It is important to highlight significance of our mutual engagements in regional and multilateral fora, amplify voices of both large and small nations alike. ..by uniting and working together under common principles of equity, justice and rule of law, we can ensure peace and prosperity for future generations," AFP chief Gen. Romeo Brawner Jr. said.
Brawner also underscored importance of building awareness, harnessing support and reinforcing commitment of Filipinos on matters of Philippine territory, sovereignty and sovereign rights.
Meanwhile, Japan highlighted Philippines for consistent compliance with Arbitral Tribunal's award as to South China Sea dispute with China and commitment shown for peaceful settlement of disputes.
In statement, Japanese Ministry of Foreign Affairs said arbitral award is final and legally binding on parties to dispute under provisions of United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), and Japan strongly hopes parties' compliance with award will lead to peaceful settlement of disputes in South China Sea.
Ministry called for de-escalation in tensions amid China's increasingly aggressive attacks on Philippine vessels.
Although CCG was not named, ministry said Japan "steadfastly opposes" dangerous and coercive use of Coast Guard and maritime militia vessels as well as aircraft.
"Japan expresses serious concern over repeated actions in recent days that increase regional tensions in South China Sea and urges de-escalation of tensions," Japanese foreign ministry said.
China's top diplomat Wang Yi warned visiting US National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan over supporting Philippines in disputed South China Sea, state media reported.
"United States must not use bilateral treaties as excuse to undermine China's sovereignty and territorial integrity, nor should it support or condone Philippines' actions of infringement," Wang told Sullivan.
Sullivan landed in Chinese capital for three-day trip, saying on arrival that he looked forward to "very productive round of conversations" with Wang.
Washington's allies Japan and the Philippines have blamed China in the past week for raising regional tensions, with Tokyo accusing Beijing of violating its airspace and Manila calling it "biggest disrupter" of peace in Southeast Asia.
Wang emphasized to Sullivan "China is firmly committed to safeguarding its territorial sovereignty and maritime rights over South China Sea islands," according to CCTV.
In another development, PCG has confirmed swarm of 40 ships from Chinese forces blocked resupply mission for BRP Teresa Magbanua.
PCG's two 44-meter patrol vessels BRP Cabra and BRP Cape Engaño were supposed to "deliver vital food and supplies" to personnel onboard their 97-meter counterpart Teresa Magbanua, "on extended patrol" in Escoda Shoal since April, according to post by PCG Commodore Jay Tarriela on X .
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