Marcos approves PCG bid to get 2 more planes for WPS operations

MANILA, Philippines — President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. approved the bidding for two 19-seater planes to boost the patrols and other operations of the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) in the West Philippine Sea (WPS).

The planes will be an addition to the 40 new patrol boats to be deployed to WPS detachments, Rear Admiral Armand Balilo, the PCG spokesperson, said in a statement on Wednesday.

Balilo added that the government would earmark P1.6 billion for the two planes.

To date, the PCG only has two utility aircraft, said Balilo.

The PCG regularly conducts rotation and resupply missions to several WPS outposts — most notably to the BRP Sierra Madre at Ayungin Shoal — which is also regularly hounded by Chinese vessels.

READ: Teodoro says China a ‘squatter’ in West PH Sea

READ: AFP: Chinese Navy ship’s ‘dangerous maneuvers’ vs PH Navy vessel unprecedented

China’s actions are based on its assertion that it owns nearly all of the South China Sea, including the WPS, citing its now 10-dash line, which used to be a nine-dash line.

In 2013, Manila questioned Beijing’s nine-dash line before the Permanent Court of Arbitration in The Hague.

In July 2016, the court effectively dismissed China’s sweeping claims.

atm