Tolentino calls for more diplomatic pressure, coast guard presence in West PH Sea

FILE PHOTO: Philippine Coast Guard patrols Sabina Shoal in the West Philippine Sea on April 27, 2021. Photo from PCG

MANILA, Philippines — Diplomatic pressure and the increased presence of the country’s coast guard could help fend off the 20 Chinese vessels swarming Sabina Shoal located within the territory of the Philippines.

Senator Francis Tolentino said this Tuesday, adding that the presence of the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) for purposes of research in the area could also help.

“One, the diplomatic pressure should be pursued in Beijing by the President. We don’t want to jump the gun on the President. He’s the chief architect of foreign policy,” he said in an interview with ANC Headstart.

“Two, more coast guard presence. Three, even BFAR should be there for research and other purposes,” he added.

Filipino fisherfolk, on the other hand, should have additional bigger fishing boats that “could last for several weeks without resupply of gasoline” to balance the presence of Chinese vessels in the area, the senator asserted.

Last week, Tolentino delivered a privilege speech in the Senate about the situation in the South China Sea.

He highlighted the incident in which the China Coast Guard allegedly forcefully retrieved Chinese rocket debris from Filipino fishers inside the Philippines’ jurisdiction.

READ: China denies ‘forceful’ retrieval of rocket debris in South China Sea

For Tolentino, several measures could be done following the incident.

“For instance, you can beef up our resources within Kalayaan Islands: more classrooms, more livelihood programs in the area,” he said.

“More involvement of the Department of Agriculture, BFAR should be done, and then I’m looking at building more lighthouses,” he continued.

The senator likewise reiterated his recommendation to broadcast news and Filipino music in the West Philippine Sea to raise awareness that the area is a territory of the Philippines.

READ: Tolentino wants ‘all Filipino songs’ aired near West Philippine Sea

“I mentioned this years ago and it was treated lightly, we should have more, an upscaled radio transmitter that can broadcast weather news for our fishermen as well as current news, Filipino music that can even be heard by Chinese vessels or any other foreign vessels in the area to really show that that area is ours,” Tolentino said.

Several senators have condemned China’s alleged bullying of Filipino fisherfolk in the West Philippine Sea.

READ: Ilang senador inalmahan ang pambu-bully ng China sa WPS