Manila: China’s latest acts of harassment will not deter the Philippines from holding maritime patrols in the West Philippine Sea, the Philippine Navy (PN) said Thursday. “We will keep performing our mandate, we will keep performing the patrols,” Navy spokesperson for the West Philippine Sea (WPS) Rear Admiral Roy Vincent Trinidad told reporters on Thursday.
According to Philippines News Agency, this declaration came after the May 5 incident where Chinese frigates and coast guard ships conducted “aggressive and unsafe maneuvers” against the BRP Emilio Jacinto (PS-35) while it was conducting regular patrols 11.8 nautical miles southeast of Bajo de Masinloc (also known as Scarborough Shoal) in the WPS. Trinidad emphasized that patrols will persist despite China’s recurring harassment of Filipino naval vessels assigned to patrol this crucial waterway.
“We will (continue) doing our patrols, hindi naman tayo nag-depende sa kanila (we do not depend on their actions),” he said. Trinidad added they are not alarmed by this incident as the Chinese are known for such actions, noting a similar instance occurred two years ago.
When questioned about the presence of the PN ship near Bajo de Masinloc during the incident, Trinidad explained it was to affirm that the area is part of Philippine territory and within their mandate. He reiterated that the PN conducts regular patrols within 12 nautical miles of its territorial sea.
“It’s a high tide elevation, it’s a rock, (it has a) territorial sea so we will keep performing our mandate,” Trinidad said. He assured that all actions taken are within the bounds of domestic and international law, ensuring that personnel understand the rules of engagement.