PAF to continue WPS patrols amid China's 'no trespass' rule

Two FA-50PH aircraft of the Philippine Air Force take part in the joint PH-US Maritime Air Patrol in the vicinity of Batanes and areas in the West Philippine Sea on Tuesday, November 21, 2023. President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. said the patrols are a 'collaborative effort between the Armed Forces of the Philippines and the United States Indo-Pacific Command' in the area. PAF PHOTO

The Philippine Air Force (PAF) on Sunday said it will continue to monitor the West Philippine Sea as China starts implementing a policy that would allow the China Coast Guard to detain "foreign trespassers" in the South China Sea.

Interviewed on Super Radyo dzBB, PAF spokesperson Colonel Maria Consuelo Castillo said that conducting maritime patrols over the Philippines’ territorial waters and the features within its exclusive economic zone (EEZ) is inherent in the duties of the country’s air force.

“Patuloy lang talaga ang ating maritime patrol to ensure na namo-monitor natin lahat ng activities both in the air and on the sea, dito sa ating exclusive economic zone, pati na rin sa ating territorial waters,” she said.

(Our maritime patrol will continue to ensure that we monitor all activities both in the air and on the sea, here in our exclusive economic zone, as well as in our territorial waters.)

In May, China issued a regulation empowering its coast guard to detain foreigners trespassing in the South China Sea for up to 60 days without trial. The policy has reportedly taken effect starting Saturday, June 15.

The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) maintained that the Philippines will not be deterred or intimidated by such a rule.

“China's so-called anti-trespassing policy undermines the rule of law and international norms that govern maritime conduct. The presence and actions of its vessels in our waters are illegal, coercive, aggressive, and deceptive,” the AFP stated.

Even the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) stood firm on the Philippines’ position that China’s anti-trespassing policy in the South China Sea, which overlaps with the country’s exclusive economic zone, has no basis.

The PCG also urged Filipino fishermen to continue fishing in the waters despite the Chinese threat.

For the Air Force, Castillo said there is a need for additional air assets, including not just manned aircraft but also unmanned aerial vehicles, to help with their monitoring efforts not just in the West Philippine Sea, but also in the eastern seaboards and southern area of the country.

She also pointed out that their patrols also help in the government’s anti-smuggling efforts.

“Actually madalas nagkakaroon tayo talaga ng mga pagpapatrol dito (sa Tawi-Tawi) para matigilan natin ang smuggling at mag-pocket ng illegal products dito sa area na ito,” Castillo said.

(Actually, we often have patrols here in Tawi-Tawi so that we can stop smuggling and the bringing of illegal products in this area.)—RF, GMA Integrated News

This article PAF to continue WPS patrols amid China's 'no trespass' rule was originally published in GMA News Online.