The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) urged civilians participating in a Christmas convoy to the West Philippine Sea (WPS) next month to prepare for bad weather, ensure the seaworthiness of the boats that they will use, and be on the lookout for Chinese maritime vessels that are likely to follow them.
Commodore Jay Tarriela, spokesperson for National Task Force for West Philippine Sea (NTF-WPS), said the PCG will deploy its own ships to escort members of the Atin Ito! Coalition who intend to go to Ayungin (Second Thomas) Shoal to bring gifts to troops manning BRP Sierra Madre, the lone outpost by the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) in the area.
The atoll has been the flashpoint for maritime tensions between the Philippines and China.
Citing a press statement from the coalition advocating for the Philippines claims in the WPS, Tarriela said the participants to the convoy will depart on December 5 from El Nido, Palawan using 40 boats. Depending on the weather and the type of the boats that will be used, Tarriela said the trip could take approximately 18 to 24 hours.
“Ang naging agreement ng NTF-WPS with the organizers ng Atin Ito, we were able to clarify na ang pagpunta sa BRP Sierra Madre ito ‘yung hindi posibleng magawa. Inilatag ng NTF-WPS ‘yung danger na ginagawa dito (Our agreement at the NTF-WPS with the organizers of Atin Ito is that we were able to clarify that going to BRP Sierra Madre is not possible. The NTF-WPS laid out the dangers that they will face),” Tarriela said in a “Bagong Pilipinas” public briefing on Wednesday, Nov. 29.
“Ang China Coast Guard siguradong magdedeploy ng mas maraming barko together with the Chinese maritime militia. Sa presensya ng Chinese forces na ito sa palibot ng Ayungin Shoal, there is a high possibility na sasalubungin sila ng Chinese maritime forces (China Coast Guard will definitely deploy more ships together with the Chinese maritime militia. With the presence of Chinese forces around Ayungin Shoal, there is a high possibility that they will be met by the Chinese maritime forces.) Sinabi namin (We told them) ‘you can pass through the vicinity of Ayungin Shoal but definitely, BRP Sierra Madre is not your final destination.’ You can proceed to other maritime features,” he added.
The AFP is occupying a total of nine features in the Spratly Islands in South China Sea namely Ayungin Shoal, Pag-asa (Thitu) Island, Rizal (Commodore) Reef, Patag (Flat) Island, Panata Island (Loaita Cay), Kota (Loaita) Island, Lawak (Nanshan) Island, Parola Island (Northeast Cay), and Likas (West York) Island. The biggest of these is Pag-asa Island.
'Get permit from Marina'
Before being allowed to sail, Tarriela said organizers of Atin Ito! Coalition should secure the necessary travel permits from the Maritime Industry Authority (Marina) to ensure that the vessels that they will use are safe for travel.
He said the group cannot use fishing boats as these are not equipped to withstand long voyage and ruthless weather in the WPS.
“Kung ang barkong gagamitin nila ay ‘di ganoon kabilis, we have to consider the current – ang laki ng alon at ‘yung hangin itutulak ka rin. It also depends with the intention, if it would be a convoy ibig sabihin maghihintayan sila (If the vessel that they will use is not that fast, we have to consider the current – the waves are big and the wind will really push you. It also depends with the intention, if it would be a convoy, that means they will wait for each other). The duration of the voyage is dependent on the slowest vessel that will participate in the convoy,” Tarriela said.
The PCG reached out to the organizers of Atin Ito for a discussion before the planned convoy to iron out the details of the escort they needed.
“We have the mandate to ensure maritime safety sa karagatan natin (in our seas),” Tarriela said. “The PCG should be able to deploy vessels to ensure the safety of those who will participate in the Christmas caravan.”
“However, we need to reach out to the organizers para mapagusapan na yung barko na dadalhin ay sea-worthy at ‘yung magmamando sa barkong gagamitin has the experience para hindi majeopardize ang safety ng mga magpaparticipate sa Christmas caravan (However, we need to reach out to the organizers to discuss the vessel that they will bring, it has to be sea worthy, and the master should has the experience in order not to jeopardize the safety of the participants to the Christmas caravan),” he added.
Nonetheless, Tarriela said the PCG appreciates the efforts from civil society groups who want to express their appreciation to the efforts of the military and coast guard in safeguarding the country’s territorial waters.
“Pero as much as possible kung ‘yan lang din ang intensyon natin para makapagpasaya ng sundalo, we would appreciate kung dadalhin na lang sa nearest AFP units or PCG units, and allow the Coast Guard and the AFP to bring those gifts para hindi pa kayo mahirapan at malagay sa peligro ang inyong buhay (But as much as possible if the intention is to make the soldiers happy, we would appreciate if you just bring your gifts to the nearest AFP or PCG units and allow the Coast Guard or AFP to bring those gifts so that you will not be put in danger),” he stressed.