No ‘use of force’ in West Philippine Sea missions

Manila, Philippines – The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) said it will not use force in West Philippine Sea missions in the wake of Chinese ships’ attempt to corner a smaller Philippine Coast Guard vessel off Bajo de Masinloc (Scarborough Shoal).

In a press briefing on Tuesday, Rear Admiral Roy Vincent Trinidad said the AFP rules of engagement strictly emphasize the “use of force” only as a last resort – for “self-defense, defense of one’s unit or defense of others that provides all the sufficient flexibility for the ground commander when to act.”

“The guidance has been very clear. In conducting our rore [rotation and resupply] missions, in conducting our maritime patrols, air surveillance, the use of force is not authorized except for self-defense situations,” Trinidad, who is also the navy spokesperson for the West Philippine Sea, told a briefing at the AFP headquarters in Camp Aguinaldo, Quezon City.

Instead, the Philippine Coast Guard – which, based on a footage, was chased down with water cannons by two Chinese ships while the former was on a humanitarian mission escorting fisherfolk in the disputed waterway – offered to help after the Chinese warship ended up ramming its own Chinese Coast Guard cutter.

China has been controlling Bajo de Masinloc, or Scarborough Shoal, since 2012 after a standoff with Philippine vessels and despite an arbitral ruling handed down four years later, in 2016, which declared that China violated Philippine rights by entirely blocking access of Filipino fishermen there.

“It was a pincer move designed to catch the Philippine vessel in the middle of two larger ships,” Trinidad said when asked to describe China’s latest maneuver.

The “dangerous” maneuver caused “substantial damage to the forward portion” or the bow of the ship, so earlier reports claimed the Chinese Coast Guard cutter is no longer “seaworthy.”

“We only hope that there was no injury or casualty among the crew,” Trinidad said.

“I would like to highlight the very commendable action of our Philippine Coast Guard to offer assistance. Ganito dapat ini-expect natin sa mga [This should be what is expected of] coast guards worldwide to look after safety of life at sea regardless of flag,” he said, referring to the 1974 Safety of Life at Sea Convention.

The Philippine Navy said mariners should make sure their actions are “professional” and within the bounds of law, including international maritime rules like the International Regulations for Preventing Collisions at Sea.

'Spike' in presence

Before Monday’s collision, more Chinese ships – research vessels, maritime militia and Coast Guard boats – have been spotted in the north and the West Philippine Sea last week, coinciding with a joint sail between Philippine and Indian forces there.

On Monday, President Ferdinand Marcos, Jr. said the country will inevitably be dragged into any war over Taiwan given its proximity to the self-ruled island and the population of Filipinos there.

AFP spokesperson Col. Francel Margareth Padilla said their priority will be the evacuation of non-combatants and overseas Filipino workers.