No confirmation of signal jammers in Mischief Reef, says Lorenzana

Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana on Friday said there have been no reported disruptions in military communications in relation to the reported signal-jamming device allegedly installed on Mischief (Panganiban) Reef by China.

The Defense Department have also yet to confirm if there are indeed signal-jamming device in the area that could prevent and manipulate electronic communications of the Armed Forces of the Philippines.

"None has been confirmed by us. All reports has been coming from the US and we have not received any formal communications to that effect. So far our regular patrols in the WPS (West Philippine Sea) have not reported any incidence of jamming," Lorenzana said.

"We will confirm using our resources if there really are jammers and if so what kind: to disrupt communications or disrupt weapons systems," he added.

Such installation of signal-jamming device could be considered a "serious development from military perspective" since it can "literally blind the entire" AFP, said University of the Philippines Institute for Maritime Affairs and Law of the Sea director Jay L. Batongbacal.

Batongbacal also took note that Philippine ships patrolling Pag-asa Island and the Ayungin shoal could be affected.

Citing information from US defense officials, the Wall Street Journal reported on Tuesday that the equipment had been deployed to a portion of the Mischief Reef.

Meanwhile, asked on whether the Philippines could stop China from installing such equipment, Lorenzana said: "Hindi nga natin sila napigilan noong mag-umpisa silang mag-reclaim."

The Defense chief also suspected that such device could have been detected by the US Navy ships.

"Yung jammers kasi ay madaling ikabit 'yan. Merong maliit na para sa sasakyan pang jam ng communications. Yung mga mas sophisticated like for weapons systems mas malaki nasa mga building at barko," he said.

"Puwedeng buksan o patayin depende sa mission. Kahit may sensor ka di mo malalaman kung hindi naka-on. Ang suspetsa ko nasagap ng mga US Navy ships yung jamming signals," he added. — RSJ, GMA News