September 20 ------ There are now fewer Chinese ships at the Escoda (Sabina) Shoal because of the bad weather, National Maritime Council (NMC) spokesperson Undersecretary Alexander Lopez said, adding that nature has become the Philippines “ally.” “Kung ang time frame natin is before yung umalis ang (BRP Teresa) Magbanua marami talaga. Pero nung umalis yun Magbanua, kumonti din sila especially now yun masama ‘yung panahon,” he explained. “One good thing about here, the nature is our ally. Bagyo ay kakampi natin (The typhoon became our ally),” the official added.
Lopez was referring to the BRP Teresa Magbanua, which left the shoal last weekend after being there since April because her mission was already accomplished. It was at the vicinity of the Escoda Shoal where the BRP Teresa Magbanua was repeatedly rammed by the China Coast Guard (CCG), claiming that the ship was intruding into Chinese territory. When asked if it is time to ask Philippine allies for help in escorting its vessels on its routine supply missions at sea, the official explained that was not how it works. “We have a dignity as a nation. Kaya pa naman natin. Siguro when push comes to show, when worst comes to worst, and that will be a executive decision whether we will to accede their request,” he said.
The spokesperson added that the statements of support from Philippine allies are enough for now, although government-to-government agreements like grants, and provisions of ships and assets to the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) and Philippine Navy (PN) would be of much bigger help because this will allow them to better patrol the disputed areas. “Just imagine sa laki din ng kabila. Kung ganun sila kadami mag-deploy dapat ganun din tayo para hindi tayo mabully,” Lopez stressed. He also expressed agreement to the suggestion of Senator Francis Tolentino to lease foreign ships to expand the country’s maritime fleet. “Habang wala pa tayo talagang atin, it’s an option mag-arkila tayo. Maganda ang suggestion ni Senator Tolentino,” he said. “In fact, pinag-iisipan na ‘yun dati,” the official added.
Source: mb.com.ph
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