TENSYON SA WPS, MAS TITINDI PA – WESCOM

SINABI ni AFP Western Command (Wescom) Commander Vice Admiral Alberto Carlos na inaasahan na ang mas malalang aksyon ng China base sa assessment nito sa Chinese aggressions sa West Philippine Sea.

Sinabi ni Carlos na ang “already escalating” actions ng Beijing laban sa Filipino vessels sa WPS na “short of armed attacks.”

“It’s already escalating — with the laser, the water cannon — we expect more coercive action from China,” ani Carlos. “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,” dagdag pa nito.

Binigyang-diin ng Wescom chief na maaari ring sumakay ang Philippine Navy, Coast Guard, at ang Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources at suriin ang anumang vessel na nakikita nitong lumalabag sa 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,” ayon pa kay Carlos.

Iginiit ni Carlos na ang routine resupply missions ng Pilipinas sa BRP Sierra Madre sa Ayungin Shoal ay legitimate exercise ng administrative functions ng gobyerno sa WPS.

“We need to put up more decent number of vessels in the West Philippine Sea,” aniya,

“There will be changes on the ground,” sabi ng opisyal. “Very very slow ang change. We expect it in the near future — better, pabor naman sa atin [in favor to us] hopefully.”