11-8-2023 (MANILA) The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) is contemplating the deployment of militia forces in the West Philippine Sea to bolster its patrol capabilities. The AFP’s chief, General Romeo Brawner Jr., revealed that the militia would be drawn from the AFP’s reserve force, potentially including individuals from the fisherfolk community.
When asked about the possibility of deploying maritime militias, General Brawner affirmed, “Yes, it’s part of our plans… part of our reserve force development.” He further explained that the program aims to develop both land-based reservists and individuals capable of operating at sea. However, the deployment hinges on the availability of suitable vessels and adequate funding.
General Brawner expressed confidence in the direction the AFP is taking, stating that the deployment would occur “very soon.” The AFP is also exploring the option of deploying additional vessels and aircraft to patrol the country’s maritime exclusive economic zone. However, General Brawner emphasized the need for more funds to support this initiative.
One potential source of funding could be the confidential and intelligence fund (CIF) proposed in the 2024 budget. Opposition senators argue that the proposed P9.2-billion CIF should be reallocated to the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) in response to China’s aggressions in the West Philippine Sea. Unlike the civilian Philippine Coast Guard, the China Coast Guard operates under China’s Central Military Commission and has the authority to use lethal force against foreign vessels.
“We need to strengthen our presence in the WPS, and this will entail more funds. We will ask Congress to allocate more funds in the WPS,” stated General Brawner in Filipino. He emphasized the importance of considering the broader picture of the West Philippine Sea, including islands beyond Ayungin Shoal and BRP Sierra Madre, where the Philippines maintains an occupation.
General Brawner acknowledged the need to engage with reservists to establish a presence in the area, given the Philippines’ limited number of ships, including fishing vessels. He also revealed that over 400 foreign vessel incursions in the West Philippine Sea have been recorded.
Meanwhile, the military has expressed suspicions regarding Chinese fishing vessels, considering them part of the militia and potentially taking orders from the Chinese Coast Guard. Vice Admiral Alberto Carlos, AFP Western Command chief, highlighted an incident on August 5, which involved 12 Chinese militia vessels in addition to six China Coast Guard ships. The China Coast Guard blocked and used water cannons against Philippine Coast Guard vessels near Ayungin Shoal.
China previously claimed that the Philippines had promised to remove BRP Sierra Madre from Ayungin Shoal 24 years ago. However, President Marcos stated that he is unaware of any such agreement and would rescind it if it does exist.
The proposed P9.2-billion CIF in the 2024 budget has drawn criticism from opposition senators Aquilino Pimentel III and Risa Hontiveros. They argue that agencies unrelated to law enforcement, public order, or national security should not receive CIF allocations. Pimentel emphasized the need to support intelligence gathering agencies amidst tensions with China. Vice President Sara Duterte’s CIF allocation of P500 million sparked particular concern due to its significant size compared to previous vice presidents.
Opposition senators’ concerns are echoed by Senator Francis Escudero, who pledged to scrutinize the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA)’s proposed P1.6-billion budget for accelerating the national ID system. Escudero pointed out that the slow pace of issuing IDs has resulted in decreased public interest. He intends to request parameters from the PSA and the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas to expedite the issuance of national IDs.
Retired Supreme Court senior associate justice Antonio Carpio and former senator Richard Gordon emphasized China’s obligation to abide by the 2016 ruling of the Permanent Court of Arbitration. They stated that Ayungin Shoal falls within the Philippine exclusive economic zone based on the ruling. China’s claim to sovereignty over Ayungin Shoal, as well as its nine-dash line claim over the entire South China Sea, was invalidated by the 2016 award. Carpio and Gordon emphasized that China’s claim is baseless and contrary to international law.
President Marcos expressed the importance of bilateral agreements to bring stability to the South China Sea. During the farewell call of Vietnamese Ambassador Hoang Huy Chung, Marcos highlighted the Philippines’ cooperation with Vietnam and expressed a desire for similar agreements with other countries within the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN).
