AFP, PCG to discuss response to China’s aggression in West PH Sea

Armed Forces of the Philippines Chief of Staff, Gen. Romeo Brawner Jr.PHOTO FROM AFP FB PAGE

MANILA, Philippines — The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) will hold a conference with the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) to discuss future steps and strategies to combat the continued aggression of China in the West Philippine Sea.

AFP chief General Romeo Brawner Jr. issued his statement after a China Coast Guard (CCG) vessel chasing a Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) ship collided with a Chinese Navy warship off Scarborough (Panatag) Shoal on Monday morning.

READ: Chinese ships collide off Scarborough Shoal; PH Coast Guard offers aid

“We will have a conference among our ranks in the AFP together with the Philippine Coast Guard, and of course, we will also ask for guidance from our president because that has already happened,” Brawner said mostly in Filipino during an ambush interview after the PNP’s 124th anniversary celebration at Camp Crame on Tuesday.

“We are letting China be, but now that their Navy is there, that’s a different matter. We will discuss possible steps and future tactics to counter what China is doing that doesn’t want us to get closer to Bajo de Masinloc,” he added.

According to Brawner, the deployment of a warship in the West Philippine Sea and a joint sail with the Philippines’ allied countries are among the AFP’s options in dealing with China’s aggression in the region.

“Alalahanin po natin na hindi tayo nagiisa sa rehiyon na ito (We are not alone in this region), we have other players in the region, we may come together to act against these aggressive actions,” he added.

Beijing’s continued aggression was based on its assertion of sovereignty over almost the entire South China Sea, including most of the West Philippine Sea, as it continues to reject the 2016 arbitral ruling that effectively dismissed its claims and ruled in favor of Manila.

The 2016 Arbitral Award made the ruling after then-President Benigno S. Aquino brought China before the Permanent Court of Arbitration in 2013, or a year after the tense standoff over Panatag Shoal.

In 2012, Beijing began to have effective control of Panatag Shoal after its stand-off with Manila. /jpv