PH response to Chinese aggression in WPS not ‘purely military” — task force

The planned countermeasures of the Philippines to China’s aggressive actions in the West Philippine Sea (WPS) are not purely military, the National Task Force (NTF) for the WPS said on Monday.

NTF WPS spokesperson Jonathan Malaya made the statement after President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. said the Philippines will execute a “proportionate, deliberate, and reasonable” response to China.

“Marami sa ating mga kababayan akala nila yung counter response natin or measures natin ay purely military, hindi po. The measures cover multidimensions,” he said in a Bagong Pilipinas Ngayon interview

(Many of our countrymen think that our counter-response or our measures are purely military, but they are not. The measures cover multidimensions.)

Malaya said diplomatic measures are also included in the plan.

“The proportionate, deliberate, and reasonable response that the President was talking about covered not only the aspect of strengthening our military or our defense capabilities together with other allies, partners and friends but it also talks about exhausting diplomatic efforts to resolve the issue,” Malaya said.

On Maundy Thursday, Marcos bared the possible actions of the Philippines after China Coast Guard vessels water cannoned a Philippine supply boat during the March 23 resupply mission to BRP Sierra Madre in Ayungin Shoal.

Three Filipino Navy personnel were injured in China’s latest water cannon attack that also caused considerable damage to the wooden supply vessel Unaizah May 4.

“Over the succeeding weeks there shall be, implemented by the relevant national government agencies and instrumentalities, a response and countermeasure package that is proportionate, deliberate, and reasonable in the face of the open, unabating, and illegal, coercive, aggressive, and dangerous attacks by agents of the China Coast Guard and the Chinese Maritime Militia,” Marcos said.

“We seek no conflict with any nation, more so nations that purport and claim to be our friends but we will not be cowed into silence, submission, or subservience. Filipinos do not yield,” he added.

Marcos said he has been in “constant communication” with representatives of allies, partners, and friends in the international community.

“They have offered to help us on what the Philippines requires to protect and secure our sovereignty, sovereign rights, and jurisdiction while ensuring peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific. I have given them our requirements and we have been assured that they will be addressed,” he said.

Malaya said part of the response and countermeasure package is the strengthening of the National Maritime Council (NMC), which has been renamed from the National Coast Watch Council.

Under Executive Order No. 57, Marcos called for the strengthening of the country’s maritime security and maritime domain awareness amid China’s aggression in the WPS.

“Despite efforts to promote stability and security in our maritime domain, the Philippines continues to confront a range of serious challenges that threaten not only the country’s territorial integrity, but also the peaceful existence of Filipinos, including their fundamental right to live in peace and freedom, free from fear of violence and threat,” Marcos said.—RF, GMA Integrated News