PH Navy not part of fisherfolk aid missions but assures presence in WPS — PN spox

While not deployed with the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) and Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) in fisherfolk support missions, the Philippine Navy assured the public that it remains present and ready to respond in the West Philippine Sea (WPS). 

At a press conference on Tuesday, Rear Admiral Roy Vincent Trinidad, Navy spokesperson for the WPS, said the Kadiwa para sa Bagong Bayaning Mangingisda program is primarily a law enforcement activity of BFAR and the PCG.

“Let’s first be very clear on this: the mission of the Philippine Coast Guard and BFAR was to support our fisherfolks through the conduct of the Kadiwa… That is a law enforcement support operation,” he said. 

Trinidad clarified that the Armed Forces of the Philippines have a different mission in the disputed waters.

“The AFP, the Philippine Navy and the Philippine Air Force regularly conduct maritime patrol operations and air surveillance flights in Bajo de Masinloc, the Northern Islands, Benham Rise. There is no conflict in both statements. We have our respective mandates to perform," he said. 

The Navy official maintained the military has not abandoned its posts in the country’s maritime territories.

“Not only the Philippine Navy, the Philippine Air Force, the AFP has never left the vicinity of Bajo de Masinloc, the Northern Islands, Benham Rise and even Kalayaan Island Group," Trinidad said.

When asked about possible worst-case scenarios following recent incidents at sea, Trinidad said contingency plans are in place across the full range of possible conflicts.

“When we do contingency planning, we look at the entire spectrum of conflict from peace to crisis to wartime. Each possible scenario has different contingency measures in place," he noted. 

He also dismissed assumptions that the AFP would not respond if Filipino vessels were endangered.

“It is a universal mandate. The spirit of any sea-going individual, any professional organization is to extend assistance to any person requiring help in the ocean, in the maritime domain regardless of country, regardless of flag. And we have proven that in the past, not only for our Filipino citizens.”

Trinidad noted that China’s activities in the WPS tend to ease when foreign navies are present during multilateral activities.

"Napansin namin na walang agresibong aksyon tuwing may presensya ng mga banyagang warship sa ating maritime domain," he said.

(We observe there are no coercive and aggressive actions each time there are foreign warships in our maritime domain.)

Moreover, he said the AFP is expanding its role beyond traditional domains to prepare for modern defense challenges.

“We are now looking into, not only sea, air and land. We have activities that cover cyber, undersea, not only kinetic warfare but also support and sustainment… covering all the details of a modern military," he added. — RF, GMA Integrated News