Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, December 13) — The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) is anticipating more coercive actions from China based on its assessment of recent Chinese aggressions in the West Philippine Sea.
In an interview on CNN Philippines’ Politics as Usual on Wednesday, AFP Western Command (Wescom) Commander Vice Admiral Alberto Carlos described Beijing’s “already escalating” actions against Filipino vessels in the WPS as “short of armed attacks.”
“It’s already escalating — with the laser, the water cannon — we expect more coercive action from China,” Carlos said. “After water cannon, we expect ramming, we expect them to attempt to board our vessel, which is something that we will not allow them to do.”
The Wescom chief emphasized that the Philippine Navy, Coast Guard, and the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources can also board and search any vessel that is seen to violate Philippine maritime laws.
“When we exercise jurisdiction in that area. if we see violations of our maritime laws or sovereign rights, we have the right to board and search the vessel,” he said.
Carlos reiterated that the Philippines routine resupply missions to BRP Sierra Madre in Ayungin Shoal is a legitimate exercise of the government’s administrative functions over the WPS.
Over the weekend, a commissioned Philippine vessel on a resupply mission to Ayungin Shoal sustained “serious engine damage” after it was blasted with water cannon by the China Coast Guard.
Carlos explained that China is limited only to these \”short of armed attacks\” as something more, like a serious injury or death among Filipinos, would trigger the Philippines’ mutual defense treaty with the United States.
READ: US warns: Armed attacks vs PH vessels in SCS to trigger defense pact
Without preempting countermeasures, Carlos stressed the Philippines is prepared for any contingencies.
The Wescom chief further noted that Philippine vessels were “clearly outnumbered” by Chinese vessels in the recent incident in WPS, calling for the need to modernize and add Filipino ships in the area.
\”We need to put up more decent number of vessels in the West Philippine Sea,\” he said.
Carlos also insinuated that there will be changes on the ground in the near future “possibly in the behavior of China” once the adjusted Philippine strategy is implemented.
“There will be changes on the ground,” he said. “Very very slow ang change. We expect it in the near future — better, pabor naman sa atin [in favor to us] hopefully.”
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