The Department of Transportation (DOTr) should commend the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) personnel who are able to successfully drive away foreign vessels in the West Philippine Sea, saying congratulations are in order for these officers who bravely stood up for the country’s sovereign rigths, Senator Risa Hontiveros said on Tuesday, July 6.
“These acts of bravery should not go unnoticed. It’s not easy to fulfill this obligation, that’s why I hope they are given recognition each time they stand for the country,” Hontiveros said in a statement.
Earlier, the PCG’s BRP Cabra reportedly issued a radio challenge to five Chinese and two Vietnamese ships that were spotted in Marie Louise Bank.
According to PCG spokesman Commodore Armand Balilo, a female radio operator used a Long Range Acoustic Device to conduct the radio challenge which drove away the seven foreign vessels.
“Nakakaproud na buong tapang na naitaboy ng Pilipinong barko ang mga dayuhang ilegal na nakikipagsapalaran sa sarili nating karagatan (We feel proud that a Philippine vessel is able to drive away foreign vessels cruising within our maritime territories),” she said.
“We need to be able to regularly and continuously give commendations so as to encourage more officers to steadfastly defend and protect our seas and our people,” the senator added.
Also last May, some Chinese vessels also dispersed from Sabina Shoal in the WPS, after the PCG called them out for being in the Philippines’ exclusive economic zone (EEZ), Hontiveros noted.
The lawmaker said these radio challenges only go to show that the Philippines can assert its ownership of the WPS without resorting to war.
“Considering the heightened tensions in the disputed waters, official commendation should be given to our officers. It’s the least we can do for those who serve on the frontlines of our national security,” Hontiveros stressed.