PH, US will expand space tech collab to monitor West Philippine Sea

The Philippine and United States on Tuesday (Manila time) said they are planning to boost their cooperation in using space technology to monitor and document vessels in the West Philippine Sea (WPS).

They issued a joint statement after their first bilateral space dialogue in Washington, D.C. on May 2.

“The delegations recognized the potential for expanded cooperation on the use of space for maritime domain awareness, including through the US Department of Transportation-led SeaVision program,” the statement read.

“Such programs can help monitor and document vessels in the Philippines’ territorial waters and Exclusive Economic Zone, ensure the safety of mariners at sea, monitor and help protect the environment, and help combat illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing,” it added.

The Philippines and the US agreed to consider hosting in Manila a US Geological Survey (USGS) Landsat ground station.

This came amid the increasing tension between the Philippines and China as they have been trading accusations over a series of incidents in the WPS, with Chinese vessels regularly being spotted within the Philippines' exclusive economic zone.

From May 7 to 13, the Philippine Navy monitored 98 Chinese vessels—including five People's Liberation Army Navy ships—in Bajo de Masinloc, Ayungin Shoal, Pagasa Island, Kota Island, Likas Island, Panata Island, and Patag Island.

The Philippines and US are set to explore the collaboration at their next space dialogue in Manila. — BM, GMA Integrated News