PCG presence in PH-US-France drills in WPS erases ‘provocative’ tag

(FILE PHOTO  / PCG)

MANILA, Philippines — The presence of Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) as perimeter guards during the country’s drills with the United States and France aims to cushion the perceived provocativeness of such activities.

PCG Spokesperson Rear Admiral Armand Balilo made the remark as the navies of three countries began its first-ever multilateral maritime exercise in the West Philippine Sea.

“Mas hindi provocative kapag Coast Guard ang nagsasagawa ng security measures,” Balilo said in an ambush interview at the PCG Headquarters.

(It does not appear provocative when it’s the Coast Guard which provides security measures.)

In an opinion piece dated April 20, Chinese state-backed tabloid Global Times said the trilateral drills, among other activities in Balikatan, may “pose a substantive threat to regional stability.”

For the first time, PCG ships were given a role during the trilateral drills, which is part of the Balikatan Exercises.

Balilo said there are three PCG vessels currently in Palawan “on stand by to provide maritime security.” 

“We will continue to follow the philosophy of deescalation para wala masyadong tension kaya Coast Guard ang ginagamit to secure areas (to lessen tension, which is why Coast Guard is used to secure these areas),” Balilo added.