Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) Secretary Enrique Manalo visited the national headquarters of the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) in Port Area, Manila on Friday, August 25, to discuss the recent issues hounding the West Philippine Sea (WPS).

Manalo was welcomed by PCG Commandant Adm. Artemio Abu where they talked about the recent resupply mission of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) that was supported by the PCG to Ayungin (Second Thomas) Shoal.

In an interview, PCG spokesperson Rear Adm. Armando Balilo said Manalo stressed the importance of both agencies’ efforts in maintaining its diplomatic relations with China amid the territorial dispute.

“Coast guard is an instrument of white-to-white ship diplomacy. On our part, we explained our transparency in the operations being conducted by the PCG in the West Philippine Sea. Of course, the DFA said they are going to continue to find ways through the diplomatic channel to resolve the issue in the West Philippine Sea,” Balilo said.

Manalo also recognized the PCG as the “eyes and ears of Filipinos to know what is happening in the West Philippines Sea." 

He also thanked the PCG for their “dedicated service” in upholding maritime security and safety in the country’s exclusive economic zone (EEZ).

To further improve the PCG’s capabilities, Manalo also assured Abu that the DFA will fully support the coast guard’s acquisition of additional vessels, state-of-the-art facilities, and equipment.

"All the international grants pass through the DFA. If they get grants and the recipient is PCG, [Secretary Manalo] said they will facilitate its quick release so we can use it," Balilo said.

It can be recalled that the China Coast Guard fired a water cannon at two Philippine supply boats chartered by the AFP and escorted by the PCG during a resupply mission in Ayungin Shoal last August 5 to block them from bringing food, water, and other provisions to troops onboard BRP Sierra Madre.

A follow-up resupply mission was successfully conducted on August 22 despite Chinese Coast Guard’s harassment.

US intervention

Meanwhile, Balilo clarified that the resupply mission was a joint operation by the PCG and AFP alone.

This, as the AFP confirmed that a US Navy Boeing PS-8 maritime patrol and reconnaissance aircraft was seen hovering over China Coast Guard ships during the follow-up resupply mission last August 22. 

“We are not the only players involved in the West Philippine Sea. If they saw any aircraft flying, that is their own initiative. But in so far as the operations of the coast guard, the AFP and PCG are the ones talking,” Balilo said.