AFP vows continued protection for fishers after Escoda Shoal incident

MANILA, December 19 ------ The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) reiterated its commitment to protect Filipinos and uphold the country’s maritime rights following the December 12 incident near Escoda or Sabina Shoal, where Chinese maritime forces used water cannon and conducted coercive actions against local fishermen.

Philippine Navy spokesperson for the West Philippine Sea Rear Admiral Roy Vincent Trinidad said the military is carrying out President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s directive to ensure the safety of Filipino fisherfolk, in close coordination with civilian maritime agencies. “Every guidance of the Commander-in-Chief is for all appropriate government agencies to implement. Along this line, the AFP will continue performing its mandate of security and integrity of our country," Trinidad told reporters at Camp Aguinaldo in Quezon City. "Secondly, of exerting support to the PCG (Philippine Coast Guard), BFAR (Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources) and other government agencies in protecting the livelihood of our fisherfolk," he added.

The AFP will also continue engaging "like-minded nations" who support the Philippines' stand of a rules-based international order in the West Philippine Sea. The official placed the incident in a broader operational context, noting that Chinese maritime forces tend to change their behavior when the Philippines’ ally and partner nations are present. “The bigger picture was three days before that, there was a bilateral maritime cooperative activity between the Philippine Navy, the AFP, and the United States Navy. In Bajo de Masinloc, there was a freedom of navigation operation unilateral by the US Navy. There were continued patrols in our nine features of the West Philippine Sea,” Trinidad noted. “Historically, our data will tell us that when there are foreign counterparts and partners, the PLA (People's Liberation Army) Navy, the CCG (China Coast Guard) and the maritime militia have a change in their behavior. It so happened that in Sabina or Escoda Shoal, there [were] no foreign presence and Philippine Navy there. Kung saan tayo wala, doon sila gumawa ng aggressive actions against our Filipino fisherfolk,” he explained.

Three Filipino fishermen were injured after being directly hit by the CCG’s high-pressure water cannon. Two fishing boats were also severely damaged in the incident. The PCG was able to respond immediately, dispatching two vessels to assist the fishermen and provide medical aid.

Source: news.abs-cbn.com