Fishers’ group rejects AFP proposal to train as ‘reservists’ in WPS

A fisherfolks’ group on Monday rejected the Armed Forces of the Philippines’ (AFP) proposal to train them as military reservists in the maritime militia that would beef up the country’s presence in the West Philippine Sea (WPS).

“We reject being the AFP’s reserve forces against China in the WPS, as it will further put us in danger,” Pambansang Lakas ng Kilusang Mamamalakaya ng Pilipinas (Pamalakaya) vice-chairperson Bobby Roldan said in a statement.

“Why would they employ the fisherfolk as army reservists when we are not trained to be one in the first place? It is the responsibility of the country’s armed forces to defend and secure our national security and sovereignty at all times, as mandated by the Constitution,” said Roldan.

Last week, AFP Chief-of-staff General Romeo Brawner confirmed the Philippines is eyeing to establish its own maritime militia in the highly contested waters and deploy more maritime vessels and aircraft in the country’s exclusive economic zone (EEZ).

Among those who are expected to take part in the militia are military reserve forces and fisherfolks in the area.

Pamalakaya, however, said the military should deploy more forces in the WPS instead, citing the country’s 150,000 active AFP soldiers, 24,500 Navy personnel, and 15,000 reserve personnel.

“The AFP should instead deploy its large forces in the West Philippine Sea to secure our territorial waters and vast marine resources being claimed and plundered by China,” said Roldan.

“The Filipino fishers are committed to defending our fishing rights peacefully and diplomatically, using the United Nations Conventions on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) and other rules of international law,” he added.

On August 5, the Chinese Coast Guard used water cannons against four Philippine vessels that were on a resupply mission to Filipino troops stationed at the BRP Sierra Madre off Ayungin Shoal.

Several countries—led by the United States, Australia, Japan, and Canada—expressed support for Manila and criticized China's actions, the latest in the string of several reported incidents of harassment against Philippine vessels this year.

Ayungin is located 105.77 nautical miles from the nearest Philippine province of Palawan and is within the country’s exclusive economic zone under the UNCLOS.

China demanded that the Philippines remove the navy ship from the shoal, which it calls Ren’ai Jiao, citing a “promise” the government made. Manila has since denied making such a commitment and President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. earlier said he would rescind “if there does exist such an agreement.”

In July 2016, the UN Permanent Court of Arbitration in The Hague, based on a case filed by the Philippines, junked China's nine-dash line claim covering the entire South China Sea, including the West Philippine Sea. China has refused to acknowledge the ruling. — BM, GMA Integrated News